God continues to point out His perfect timing in directing Norman and me back to the States for this season. I see so many blessings in this chapter of our lives. Here are a few:

1. When Mom fell just 6 months after we arrived, I was in place with CNA training.
2. Norman and I are in the same time zone as all three of our kids who are now in college. We were here to help them move into the dorms. We can help them better from here, should the need rise.
3. Norman and I have been able to figure out some of our own health situations, with doctors we can understand perfectly.
4. I needed a break from the cultural stress of living in Japan. I didn’t fully realize this until I was back here for a time. Being part of a bigger, functioning church family has been extremely refreshing. Being able to do ministry and see tangible fruit more quickly is also encouraging.
5. We are learning different kinds of spiritual lessons in this time.
6. I was here to help Mom through some new health concerns. The past two weeks have been busy with doctor appointments, checkups, and a medical procedure.
7. We have been able to attend various family events — graduations, bridal and baby showers, and weddings.

Those are a lot of the “Pro’s” of being in the States. My main “Con” is my intense desire to be there for Japanese Christians and missionaries. Japan is so lonely and difficult as a member of God’s family. It’s hard to even describe how different it is. In Wisconsin, I have so many opportunities to see Christians every week. Sunday morning, evening, Wednesday night, ladies’ Bible study twice a month, texts from believers with a verse/prayer request/note of encouragement, being ministered to at church (not having to do the bulk of everything). On top of that, there are radio programs playing Christian music and airing sermons, Bible verses, and a Christian perspective. Billboards declare Bible truths. Anywhere I go, I could potentially meet a fellow believer and feel at home in minutes.

In Japan, however, most believers don’t have one other fellow Christian at their job or school. Maybe not in their entire town. They may meet once a week for a church service, and some may have a mid-week service. Some do have smaller Bible studies for women. The culture of Japan squashes those who are different from the traditional model. They put pressure on them to conform to the group. I’m kind of a group-culture ignoramous, but even I could feel this pressure. Please pray for the Christians in Japan. I’m happy to share that ABWE has 17 new missionaries on the pathway to Japan! They are preparing to go as soon as funding is established. Pray for them, too.

God’s timing. His plan is perfect. Why is it so difficult to see a nation-wide turning to Jesus as Savior? What is God’s plan involving Japan? I don’t know. But I trust that, just as God’s timing was perfect in sending me to Wisconsin, He is perfect in arranging everything regarding Japanese people as well. One day it will make more sense to me. In the meantime, I will serve my Lord here for His glory and trust Him to meet the needs of Christians around the world.

I have found myself becoming instantly panicked. Luke 12 informs me that I should never allow myself to stay in that state for long. There’s no need for it! It’s not helpful to anyone, and it shows my lack of faith in the only One who can change things.

What is it that panics me?

I’ve felt it when I thought I had cancer. And I had to wait for a week to find out results of a biopsy. I panicked when I thought my daughter had been snatched from a store. I was overcome with anxiety when I was bullied by a dental hygienist and had to go back to have dental work done (though I wasn’t sure if it was bullying or an actual health issue).

What drives my anxiety?

I feel anxious when answers are unknown to me. And I have to wait.

I feel panicked when my children are hurt or could potentially be hurt.

I feel anxious when I believe I’ve been taken advantage of.

I feel panic when life is out of my control. There are no obvious solutions.

How can God answer my anxiety?

* Every situation I face is known by God. The answers are obvious to Him.

* God loves me and my children more than I do. Nothing touches us unless He allows it for His purposes. If pain and suffering enter my life. there’s a reason for it that He will use for His glory and our spiritual growth.

* Nothing is ever out of God’s control.

* God desires me to turn to Him for direction, wisdom, and refuge. He wants me to trust Him – with my life, my children’s lives, my needs, my safety, my protection, my future – basically, everything!

* He has ministry designed just for me to do in this life. I can serve others, love others, and pursue God’s mission in this world instead of focusing on me and mine.

* I can recognize the temptation to worry and panic and, instead of going that route, I can fall on my knees before God in faith and reliance. He has the answers!

Psalm 94 has some insights and confirmation of what we’re talking about here.

The psalmist was growing anxious about evil men getting away with crushing innocent people. The wicked think: “The LORD doesn’t see it.” But the psalmist says,

– “Can the one who shaped the ear not hear, the one who formed the eye not see? The one who instructs nations, the one who teaches mankind knowledge – does he not discipline? The LORD knows the thoughts of mankind; they are futile. LORD, how happy is anyone you discipline and teach from your law to give him relief from troubled times..” (Ps. 94:7, 9-13).

– “The LORD will not leave his people or abandon his heritage.” (Ps. 94:14)

– “If the LORD had not been my helper, I would soon rest in the silence of death.” (Ps. 94:17)

– “But the LORD is my refuge; my God is the rock of my protection.” (Ps. 94:22)

– And my favorite: “When I am filled with cares, your comfort brings me joy.” (Ps. 94:19)

When I read this psalm, my faith begins to grow! I’m reminded of just who God is! He is not weak and out of control like I am. He is stronger than any foe, able to humble the most arrogant and wicked person, and sees all that goes on in the entire world. My job is to seek Him first, keep doing the job He’s given me, and trust Him no matter what.

Worry and anxiety is a temptation, not a condition or sickness. How do I fight against temptation? The Bible tells me how. I am tempted every day to sin in a multitude of ways. God has provided a way out from every temptation. If I know Jesus as my personal Savior and have been born again spiritually, I no longer have to sin when temptation comes knocking on my door. I’ve been made free! Sin can no longer dominate me. But it will take effort on my part to refuse to go down that road. I don’t go it alone, however. God is with me, His Spirit resides inside me, and God has provided the wonderful support group of my local church. They are my reinforcements! I can share my burden with them, and they can help me lift it. I can help lift others’ burdens, too.

Lord, thank You for Your perfect care of me, of us. Thank You for knowing we’d be worrisome creatures and providing help and answers. Help me to overcome the sin of worry and anxiety. You never meant for me to carry that burden. I want to remain free of it. May I turn to You more quickly each time I’m tempted to panic or fear. Thank You that You are always near. You hold my hand and tell me, “Don’t be afraid.” Help me trust You. Amen.

Sometimes I look to someone else to meet my needs. I begin demanding that they fill them. Yet no human being can meet my true needs. Only God can. When I come to Him with my needs, He often reveals to me that my needs are just desires and preferences. All I truly need is what God provides. Only He can satisfy me. Anything less will come up empty, less than expected, and short-lived.

My sense of Need can turn into Greed.

“Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because life is not in the abundance of his possessions,” said Jesus (Lk. 12:15). My needs can grow exponentially to the point where I greedily seek to fill them myself or force others to fill them for me.

Jesus told the parable of the man who had a great harvest. He decided to build bigger barns to “store up treasure for himself, … and not toward God” (v. 21). Why is it that when our needs have been abundantly met, we don’t think about filling someone else’s needs? Instead, we think we need to grab our blessings close so we’ll have it later when we need it. “Mine!” This sounds like the opposite of what the Christian life should look like! We’re supposed to seek those things above, setting our minds on things above, not on earthly things. Christ is my life! (Colossians 3:1-4)

In Luke 12, I see this comparison:

LIFE IS MORE THAN . . .

– Looking perfect (vv. 1-3)

– Protecting my body (vv. 4-7)

– Protecting my reputation (vv. 8-12)

– Having a life filled with possessions and ease (vv. 13-21)

– Having all my needs met

– Eating good food, wearing nice clothes, providing for my own needs (vv. 22-34)

LIFE IS ABOUT . . .

– Alertly waiting for Jesus’ return (vv. 35-40)

– Serving others (v. 33)

– Ministering in such a way as to invest in heavenly treasures (vv. 31-34, 42-44)

– Faithfully and responsibly doing the job God has give me (vv. 41-48)

What is my life all about today? Am I worried about what others can do to me? Am I consumed with things that are out of my control?

Lord, teach me to trust You more! Help me keep the main thing the main thing. Thank You for spelling out what life should look like. Forgive me for seeking to fill my needs by myself, instead of looking to You. I love You!

It amazes me how much can nag at me in the back of my mind:

– “You’d better consider this scary possibility!”

– “Have you thought of what might happen if….”

– “What if this situation never changes?”

– “How will you deal with life if that happens?”

– “Maybe your friend is betraying you, not honest, talking about you behind your back.”

– “Is she taking advantage of me?”

– “Why would he be so mean to me? Did I do something?”

– “This hurtful thing is in the past, but when I think of it, it’s almost comforting.”

– “What he did was not right. That’s terrible.”

– “You’d better get on that right now. If you don’t, bad things will happen.”

– “The doctor said that, but I’m not sure she understood all your symptoms. I don’t trust her.”

– “The plumber said we need new pipes. Maybe he’s just saying that to make more money.”

– “My needs aren’t being met. What can I do to make sure they are?”

Being worried, concerned, anxious, ill-at-ease, and feeling unsettled are common to us these days. God tells me in His Word that I don’t need to be worried . . . about anything! How can this be? Isn’t that part of my job as a human? Wouldn’t I be negligent as a mom if I didn’t worry at least a little about my child? Wouldn’t that testify that I don’t care? If I don’t worry when my kid is in the ER, something would be wrong with me. Right?!

In Luke chapter 12, I am reminded SEVEN times not to worry, be anxious, or be afraid. This is GOD telling me how to behave! He even goes so far as to give reasons why we shouldn’t worry.

1. Don’t fear what humans can do to your physical body. There’s no need to worry about physical safety from torture, for instance. People can kill your body, but that’s all they can do. (v. 4).

2. Don’t be afraid that God doesn’t see you or care. You are valuable to Him! (vv. 6-7).

3. Don’t worry how to defend yourself when faced with persecution, accusations, and condemnation. The Spirit will aid you (vv. 11-12).

4. Don’t worry about your daily life – what to eat, what to wear. God takes care of you (v. 22).

5. Don’t worry about anything! You have no control of the tiniest parts of your life! (vv. 25-26).

6. Don’t be anxious about striving to meet your own needs. God knows! (vv. 29-30).

7. Don’t be afraid in seeking God’s kingdom. The Father delights to give it to you (vv. 31-32).

My worry doesn’t change anything for the better. It might make me feel somewhat productive, like I’m busy doing what’s expected of me by other humans anyway! But by worrying, I can’t add one minute to my lifespan (or anyone else’s). I can’t change someone by worrying. God asks me: “If you can’t do these small things, why should you worry about anything else?” Which leads me to remember that adding one minute to a lifespan IS easy for the Lord! He called it easy!

What it comes down to is this: My Father knows what I need. I’m to seek Him, His kingdom, and His righteousness (Mt. 6:33), and He’ll provide ALL I need. In fact, He delights to give it to me!

Thoughts from Luke 12 (CSB)