Everything I Need: How Guaranteed Provision Can Beat Your Fear

It finally happened.

It was the week I needed to write a post for this Fear Warrior Blog, I had no guest to fill the slot, but I couldn’t think of a thing to write. Every mediocre idea had to be discarded, and I was left with nothing good in their place.

What I had feared seemed to have happened—I ran out of ideas for my blog.

Yes, I am afraid of running out of ideas to write about fighting fear. Believe me, I recognize the irony.

But how many of us don’t recognize the irony we indulge in our fears elsewhere? We refer to God working things out or giving good gifts, in His “providence.” Sometimes, we even refer to God as “Providence.” Yet, we tend to forget or disregard what that word actually means.

We forget to live like we believe Providence is true of our God.

When money gets tight, I worry about how I’m going to afford necessary costs, let alone the unnecessary extras I don’t want to give up.

When I have to defend my faith or witness to people, I become anxious about what will happen if I don’t know what to say or how to answer their questions.

When I don’t know what decision to make in an important situation, I’m concerned I’ll make a mistake and choose unwisely.

When I have to travel, I’m afraid of danger if I meet with unexpected disaster.

When I have to fix a problem in my writing or even my life, I’m worried I won’t know how to fix it or be able to do so.

I’m guessing one or two of these examples from my life ring true for you. Perhaps you share one of these areas of worry, or maybe yours is different.

But at the root of at least one of your fears, I’m guessing, is the same contradiction that exists at the root of mine: You don’t trust God, the Provider of the very air we breathe, to provide.

George Mueller is famous for being an example in Christian history of the power of prayer. As the head of an orphanage, Mueller often lacked the funds needed to provide essentials like food for the children in his care. So, he prayed for God to provide what was needed.

God consistently did so, miraculously providing meals at just the last moment, on more than one occasion. While this true story certainly shows the power of prayer, I am more struck by Mueller’s example of faith in God—specifically, his trust that God would provide exactly what they needed, exactly when they needed it.

Those meals he prayed for? He and the children waited for them to appear by sitting down at a table with empty plates set in front of them. That’s real faith.

That’s the kind of trust in God’s providence that transforms the way you live.

How could Mueller live with such amazing trust instead of fearing the next meal or other essential wouldn’t be provided? He must have not only read, but also believed God’s promises.

For concern over the necessities of life, God gave us these promises:

He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. – Psalm 111:5

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. – 1 Timothy 6:17 (emphasis mine)

And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. – Luke 12:29-31

For fears of danger, we have many incredible promises, this verse being one of my favorites:

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. – 2 Timothy 4:18a

If you’re worried you’ll make a mistake or the wrong decision, then you have this promise:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. – James 1:5

I could go on, but sharing and reading these verses isn’t enough. We have to actually trust what these verses say. We have to believe God is trustworthy when He makes these promises. We have to believe He is willing and able to provide all that we need, as Scripture says He is.

The Apostle closes his letter to the Ephesians with this amazing truth embedded,

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 20-21

God is able to do far more abundantly than we can even think, let alone ask!

What are you worried about today? What is stressing you or causing anxiety? Take that fear to God, ask Him to provide, and trust that He will. Then follow Mueller’s example and act as one who has that kind of real faith.

Time and again, when I’m paying attention, I’ve seen Him provide what I need, exactly when I need it. After all, He gave me this post, didn’t He?

But don’t trust my experience; trust that God isn’t a liar. The Creator of you and our universe says He can provide and promises He loves you enough to do just that.

If you’re trying to trust and your faith in God’s provision is still shaky, take that to God, too. Ask Him to give you complete trust in His provision. Sounds ironic, but He will provide trust in His provision, too!

Today, you can loosen your grip on those fears that are making you miserable and holding you back by asking God to remind you He is the Provider Who will never leave you in the lurch.

You can step out in an act of faith that everything you need will be placed in your hands by the God Who holds you in His.

Do you have trouble trusting God will provide? Have you experienced His provision? Please share!