The Big Picture
The other day, my husband replaced the battery in our smoke detector. In the middle of replacing it, its alarm went off. Our little Schnauzer, Bella, panicked. She ran back and forth, following the perimeter of the walls in the kitchen and dining room trying to get as far away from the sound as possible. I picked her up and took her into the garage until the sound ended. By that time, she was shaking violently. I held her close, soothing her and calming her. We eventually made our way back into the house, and as we did, I thought about her reaction and realized that it was based on a lack of understanding, even trust. I did not have the same reaction because I could see the big picture. I could remain calm because I knew and understood something she did not: the circumstance was temporary, and, in the end, nothing to truly be worried about. Instead of remaining calm and trusting, she overreacted and put undue stress on herself.
How often do we overreact to a situation in life? …Respond with fear or worry when the Lord would say, “Trust; remain calm. I am with you.” He sees the infinite picture of time, space, eternity….so when God tells us not to worry, He means it: “…do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
We must accept that His ways and knowledge, are much higher than ours, “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:8,9 Even Job in the midst of his circumstance needed God’s “big picture” perspective: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!…” Job 38:4,5a Job’s response? “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” Job 42:3b
Today, trust the One who sees the big picture. Remain calm and do not fear.
–Katie Botello