Coming Up Around the Bend


If you follow any Smoky Mountain photographer then this picture is almost cliche'. It was taken at the Oconaluftee Valley Overlook on Hwy 441 as the road leads up to Newfound Gap.

This is a scene from early fall. The colors were changing nicely at that higher elevation. What you cannot see is what is right around the corner on that road. Now, we can all imagine the snaky road as it weaves past the rock cliffs, the intersection for Clingmans Dome and finally Newfound Gap... but honestly, you cannot tell that by looking at this picture and you cannot know for sure what you will encounter until you actually drive up that road personally.

Life is like that, isn't it. Based on past experience we imagine in our mind's eye what the future might hold -- what is just around the bend -- but truly, we have no earthly idea. Only God knows that and WE aren't HE. Yet, we generally move forward anticipating the best, but often times we find ourselves very anxious as we consider the worst.

Can I give you some advice right out of Scripture?

1. Worry will not add ONE SINGLE HOUR to your life. In fact, medical science proves that stress will actually decrease your lifespan due to high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks. The Bible says, "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" (Matthew 6:27)

2. What happens tomorrow will happen tomorrow. You can control your own actions and attitudes right now but you really have little influence on anything or anyone else. LIVE IN THE NOW and let God handle tomorrow -- He's seen it already and nothing takes Him by surprise. Jesus said, "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:34)

3. PRAYER and THANKSGIVING transforms a worrisome soul into a trusting spirit. Paul wrote, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)

So, what's coming up around the bend? I don't know, but I trust God with it!

Great Smoky Mountains
Oconaluftee Valley Overlook

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