No worries, God is on His Throne: A Letter of Encouragement from Mrs. Charlotte

Dear SEBTS ladies,

I think about you all often. I know many of you, and I’m so thankful for that privilege. I especially want to welcome new students to Southeastern. If you ever see me around campus, I would love to meet you.

2020 has produced a whirlwind of emotions in me.

I imagine many of you feel the same.

It feels like we’re living in an upside-down world. My emotions have been high, low, and confusing.

When I worry and fret, I run to Matthew 6:25, where Jesus says, Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? (CSB). In this wonderful passage, my Heavenly Father says to me and you, “My daughter, don’t worry. I know you need many things, but life is more than these necessities.”

In v. 33 of the same passage, our Heavenly Father says,“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added onto you.” Our Heavenly Father is saying, “Honey, I’ve got you! Put your trust in me. Have faith and leave the other cares to me too!”

Anxiety and worry can paralyze us. They are spiritual thieves that rob us of joy, peace, and sleep. To quote my husband, “The great battles of the Christian life are fought in our minds and between our ears.” That is certainly the case when it comes to the sin of worry. Worry is a sin because it is a symptom of unbelief. The cure for worry, as Jesus says, is changing the way we think about our Heavenly Father (6:26,32). 

Our Heavenly Father takes care of all our needs. Bottom line. Period. 

He is the center of my life!

He is our Great Physician!

Sweet Ladies, He is even more than that! God is the Savior of the World! God saved my sinful, pitiful life. On the day I trusted him, he promised to always watch over me and care for me (Heb 13:5).

My spiritual walk with our Heavenly Father during this time has been rich despite my occasional doubts. I know that I cannot trust my emotions alone to guide me. I need God’s guiding hand and his tender mercies every day. 

God’s Word reminds me that my hope and my trust must be grounded in my relationship to Christ. He is sufficient. I am not.

I find my strength when I am on my knees and crying out to him. Having constant conversations with my Heavenly Father anchors my trust in Him. Prayer for others also takes my mind off myself and brings me closer to my Heavenly Father.

Serving others is another way I keep my thoughts off myself. One way I love to serve is by calling friends and family to encourage them. FaceTime, especially, has been a lifesaver. Seeing their precious faces refreshes my soul.

I also love giving gifts. This has been a way that I express my love to my friends and family. It does a world of good to my soul. It encourages my loved ones, and it lets them know they are important to me.

I know these upside-down, COVID days will get better. In the meantime, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, seek His kingdom, and lay our weariness at His feet.

Sweet Ladies, there is a Light in the darkness. There is a Hope when all hope is gone. There is a Peace that passes all understanding. 

His name is Jesus! He is God, and He is on His Throne! He loves you more than anyone else in this world can. Trust him. Give Him all your fears and worries. He is always ready to receive them.