Let’s Pretend….

I learned a new phrase this week, one I expect to use frequently. A friend related a personal experience as we enjoyed lunch together. She shared how someone made this remark to her with a smile, “Let’s pretend for a moment that God is in control of the world. How might this affect your thinking?”

I learned a new phrase this week, one I expect to use frequently. A friend related a personal experience as we enjoyed lunch together. She shared how someone made this remark to her with a smile, “Let’s pretend for a moment that God is in control of the world. How might this affect your thinking?”

I love that phrase, “Let’s pretend for a moment that God is in charge of the world.” Most of us believe that God IS in control of the world, but what a gracious way to be reminded of a truth we so easily forget when faced with things in our personal world that concern us.

My granddaughter left today for her first taste of college. She went excited and anticipating all that this new found freedom offers. Her grandmother, however, knowing some of the dangers and temptations also present in this big world, easily slips into anxiety. As I prayed for her this morning, that phrase came to my mind and brought a smile to my lips. “Pretend for a moment that God is in charge of the world.” And, of course, He is.

Was I praying as though I believed that? Did I think I was in control or that evil was? Was I finding freedom from anxiety as I cast my care on Him (I Peter 5:7) knowing that He cares for my granddaughter even more than I. (That’s a lot to say for God coming from a grandmother!)

I don’t know what is happening in your world today but ‘pretend for a moment that God is in control.’ Can you feel your breathing relax and your blood pressure go down? You and I were not designed to carry all the concerns of our lives alone. Indeed, in our anxiety we often failt to acknowledge our need of His comfort and care.

It is interesting to note the context of verse 7: “And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you. Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.” I Peter 5:6-9

Verse 6 calls us to humility. When I act as though I’m in control it is not my pride? Then verse 8 reminds us of our true enemy. Perhaps that temptation to anxiety over legitimate concerns is one of his tricks. Let’s defeat him today with our new phrase ‘pretend for a moment that God is in control,’ Confident that indeed He is and we don’t really need to pretend.