Jeremiah was a prophet in the Old Testament. He even has his own book and he wrote Lamentations. When he found God was giving him authority for an important ministry, Jeremiah was afraid he could not handle so much responsibility. But God reassured him that God would provide all Jeremiah would need.
Sometimes I need that reassurance just for the small things. Should I ask that woman who looks so upset if she needs help? What if she is offended? What if I'm asked to help in a way that I cannot? What if I'm supposed to help and I don't speak to her? I'm quite capable of having a full blown argument with myself in my head while the poor woman continues to struggle. What is so scary? So what if what she needs is not something I can deliver. Maybe she can use someone to stand by while she waits for a family member to come help. Maybe she needs help walking to a place to sit, or some water. So what if she is cranky or upset? Maybe she really needs to know that she is not invisible in her distress.
And why does this cause me such anxiety?
Maybe it is the whole "don't talk to strangers" thing mothers teach us. Maybe I am afraid of looking a bit silly. Maybe I am afraid I will be asked to help in some way that is possible but inconvenient. Whatever it is, I am grateful I can look to Jeremiah for reassurance that I am not offering a moment of kindness all alone. I stand with my God who delivers me, rescues me.
And just maybe doing such small things as this will lead me to grow my trust in God for new challenges. I'll just remember Jeremiah next time, rather than let my fear keep me from taking the opportunity to be a blessing.
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD...I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1: 6, 19
Sometimes I need that reassurance just for the small things. Should I ask that woman who looks so upset if she needs help? What if she is offended? What if I'm asked to help in a way that I cannot? What if I'm supposed to help and I don't speak to her? I'm quite capable of having a full blown argument with myself in my head while the poor woman continues to struggle. What is so scary? So what if what she needs is not something I can deliver. Maybe she can use someone to stand by while she waits for a family member to come help. Maybe she needs help walking to a place to sit, or some water. So what if she is cranky or upset? Maybe she really needs to know that she is not invisible in her distress.
And why does this cause me such anxiety?
Maybe it is the whole "don't talk to strangers" thing mothers teach us. Maybe I am afraid of looking a bit silly. Maybe I am afraid I will be asked to help in some way that is possible but inconvenient. Whatever it is, I am grateful I can look to Jeremiah for reassurance that I am not offering a moment of kindness all alone. I stand with my God who delivers me, rescues me.
And just maybe doing such small things as this will lead me to grow my trust in God for new challenges. I'll just remember Jeremiah next time, rather than let my fear keep me from taking the opportunity to be a blessing.
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD...I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1: 6, 19
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