Putting My Family in His Hands

Over the years, I have learned to put my family into God’s capable and loving hands. There have been moments when I got in the way. I thought I knew what was best, only to cause myself and others unnecessary stress and pain. I have had my share of heartache. I experienced moments I didn’t like or didn’t understand—losing loved ones to tragedy or early death, a child with a life-altering diagnosis—opportunities to question what was happening in my world, to feel anger toward God.

I will never forget a moment that occurred nearly a year ago, a moment that forever altered my thinking. I came very close to losing something very precious because I wasn’t giving the circumstances of my family to God. I was allowing fear to rule. In response to fear, I frequently quote Psalm 56:3, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”

I have learned to do things even when I’m afraid.

First Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” This Scripture is so simple, but we make it difficult by allowing our own thinking to get in the way, allowing doubt and fear to rule. Casting here means “to throw.” We cannot expect God to just take our worries from us; we must give them to Him. He never stops caring. The “eth” in careth means He continually cares for us. He simply never stops loving and caring.

As ladies, we tend to be worriers. For instance, my youngest son was diagnosed with a spinal tumor when he was fourteen, and it has forever altered his life. He is now twenty and, for the most part, can handle his basic care; but his condition is deteriorating. I find myself worrying about who will care for him when his father and I are no longer here or when we are unable to assist him. Lately, I have felt the Lord impress Matthew 6:34 on my heart, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.” I know this doesn’t excuse us from making plans and preparations for his future, but it does encourage me to place my faith in God and trust that He holds the future in His hands. His ability to care for my son is much greater than mine. He has a plan and a purpose for him that goes beyond what I can fathom.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”

(Philippians 4:6-7).

The only safe place to put my family is in the hands of God.

With much prayer, we do all we can according to Scripture, doing our part to prepare them and allowing God’s peace to surround us.