Sovereignty

Isn't it interesting how we as believers can "write off" such issues as world peace, famine, war, etc. Under the overarching idea of the sovereignty of God. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with this, and in fact, it is a good perspective to have. However, we must also be careful not to simply use this cliche to shirk our own responsibilities as believers to prayer and service. Isn't it also interesting how so often the sovereignty of God in our own lives is much harder to have faith in when life is a little chaotic. Sure when it is a major event effecting the lives of some one else we have no problem encouraging them with the Christian "cure-all": "Don't worry, God's will will be done." Yet, no matter how small a trial we endure, we often feel as though we have to stress, or worry, or be anxious because the world is obviously coming off its axis. Believe me, I myself am as guilty as any on this count. But, this is not what Scripture tells us about our response in the face of adversity. Philippians 4:6-"Be Anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." As I think about this verse, it strikes me what a radical idea Paul is encouraging. Human nature begs the mind to succumb to anxiety and fear when we encounter any trial great or small; however, Paul is telling us to be anxious for nothing! Not only this, he urges us to pray concerning these trials with THANKSGIVING!!! How often do we pray thanking God for a trial that He has allowed us to go through? I know I can't remember the last time this was my response to adversity. What an amazingly radical idea. So you think, "Paul was an apostle, he was inspired...He obviously had it easy." WRONG! II Corinthians 11:23-28 details the immense sufferings and trials that Paul endured over the course of his ministry. Shipwrecks, beatings, stoning, imprisonment, traveling dangers, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, exposure to the elements, and the everyday concerns for those he ministered to. These are but some of the things Paul suffered during his apostleship. All that to say, he is certainly qualified to tell his readers "Be anxious for nothing..." I know I am constantly convicted by this verse. It seems anxiety is one of Satan's favorite sources of distraction in a Christian's life. I urge us, myself more than all, to remember the words of Paul when we encounter our next trial. Can we thank God for the suffering that shapes and molds our lives? Can we rejoice that even in the midst of trials He is doing a marvelous work in our lives? I hope so because otherwise we are merely focusing on our selves and losing sight of the sovereignty of God we are so quick to preach to others.