The Immovable Furniture

Recently my dad and I put in a new wood floor for an elderly couple. When we arrived at the job they were a pleasant pair who explained to us that they had moved as much of their furniture as they could but some things were just too heavy for them. Our work ticket specified that we were being paid to move the furniture so this wasn't a surprise.
We moved the bed, dressers, chairs, desk, books shelves, and night stands out of our way and then for the next two days worked to install the floor.
The woman was a little concerned about the delivery of a large new rug that they wanted to have put in the master bedroom when we were done. We couldn't tell her when exactly we'd be done in there, but I assured her if they delivered it and we weren't done that we'd roll out the rug for them before we moved the furniture back and she seemed satisfied.
When we finished the floor, we began to pack up our tools and move on to putting the furniture back. In those last couple hours something changed. The woman became frantic, and started darting around to point out exactly where the furniture went and hovered about us to make sure it was in place. Her husband tried to help her in preparing the furniture for moving but her panic to maintain control of the situation caused her to give him sharp replies that started many a mini quarrel. My dad and I continued to put the furniture away, for we knew where most of it went without her direction. Yet as I watched her flurry about, in this obvious state of fear that we were just going to walk out on them, I wished I could put a hand on her shoulder and assure her we were going to take care of them.

This scene began to penetrate my heart as I saw myself in that elder woman. How often has the Lord promised in His word to take care of me? How often has He promised me personally that He's going to take care of a situation? And how often have I reacted just as this woman did?

She knew their inability. She knew they couldn't move that furniture themselves, but she didn't trust us to take care of her. She didn't trust our word or the quality of character we had been showing her for two days, that would have assured her we weren't going to walk out that door until everything was done correctly.
She knew she was out of control, but she fought for it anyway.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God... You know that you can't move this "furniture" by yourself. He knows you can't move this "furniture" by yourself. Humble yourself, allow your weakness to show before Him.

I think it's interesting it says "humble yourself under the mighty hand of God" To go under something is a submissive position. You are recognizing that His hand is mightier than you and you are choosing to go under His covering, His protection, into His care. You have to trust Him. But not blindly, He's given His Word, He's demonstrated His faithfulness before you.

That elderly woman had two days to assess the content of our character, most of us have had years to assess the content of the Lord's character. 

When we humble ourselves, He can lift us up. 

If that woman had trusted us, she could have been lifted up with peace, joy, and excitement for what was taking place. But most of us remain down in the mire of our fear of not being in control. 

So when that False Evidence Appear Real (Fear) starts whispering it's lies to you combat it with the truth! HE CARES FOR ME! How do you know that? Because 1 Peter 5:7 tells me so! And I can cast all my cares upon Him. 

I don't have to move the "furniture" or worry about it because He promised to take care of it.