Taking God at his word

We want to remind you, friends, of the trouble we had in the province of Asia. The burdens laid upon us were so great and so heavy that we gave up all hope of staying alive. We felt that the death sentence had been passed on us. But this happened so that we should rely, not on ourselves, but only on God, who raises the dead. (verses 8,9)

Read 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

If you’ve ever been so frazzled you haven’t known where to turn, and you were sure the light at the end of the tunnel was a train, you have some idea of what Paul is talking about here.

I find it amazing, in situations like this, that I can be so stupid. I find myself under all kinds of burdens, with so many things to do that I just can’t cope. So I work longer and longer hours to try to get them done, making myself more and more tired in the process. The hours I work may be long, but they’re inefficient.

And because I’m still no closer to getting on top of things, I get depressed, and things go from bad to worse. When will I learn? How many times I have heard St Peter say to me, ‘Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you’ (I Peter 5:7)? But I don’t do it!

St Paul again reminds me of where the best help comes from. How much better to ‘let go and let God’. Whatever we face, God is there to help. I know this. I give others this good advice all the time. Perhaps the time will come when I take it myself.

Father, I hear your invitation to give you my burdens; please help me to take you seriously. Amen.

by Robert Turnbull, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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