Built by the Lord: God's Design for Family and Business Success From Psalm 127Намуна

Peace

2:00. 3:00. 4:00.

Still awake.

I could not get to sleep. I was exhausted, but my mind kept racing, and I couldn’t seem to stop worrying about our business. Things had not been good for a long time, and were getting even worse. The questions racing through my mind were things like, ‘What’s the next bad thing about to happen?’ ‘Are we about to fail?’ ‘Will we lose everything?’

I was working hard and putting in long hours, but the results weren’t what we needed. I was losing sleep and had no appetite. It felt like the world was closing in around me.

Then the Lord graciously reminded me of Psalm 127:2 (ESV), “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep."

Wow. This verse hit me like a ton of bricks. I realized that I was foolishly worrying about things that were out of my control. This verse is a powerful warning against workaholism, burnout, and anxiety.

Working endless hours and constantly worrying about money and business is vain, empty, and pointless. Have you been there before? Unfortunately, this is a common issue among entrepreneurs.

Worry and stress lead to health and relationship problems, which only continue the vicious spiral downward. Your mind can become preoccupied with concern, making it nearly impossible to think creatively enough to pull you out of the financial hole.

Anxiety is rampant in our world today, but it is not new. Jesus spoke to His followers about this in Matthew 6 (ESV):

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

What a beautiful word from our Saviour. He then provides us with some amazing examples — the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. They don’t stress or worry, and God takes care of them.

The point? “If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”

It all seems so simple! Don’t worry. Don’t fret. He will take care of you. But how? We do this by replacing it with something positive. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Don’t worry - seek Him.

He knows. He cares. And He will take care of you.

When you realize this truth and fully surrender to Him, you will experience the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). And that peace will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.

There are certainly seasons of life when things may be out of balance between work, family, and life for a while. However, it should not become a pattern to prioritize stuff out of order. Working all the time, worrying about things outside of your control, and losing sleep over problems is vanity - pointless and empty. Instead, we should follow the Lord's guidance, work hard, and then trust Him for the results. Do this, and you will experience true peace and sweet rest.

Pray this: Heavenly Father, thank You for rest. Help me to trust You for Your provision and protection so well that I can lie down at night and find true peace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

In tomorrow’s reading, we will complete Psalm 127 and see God’s beautiful blessings for those who trust in Him.