I was reading this week in Genesis, from the story of Jacob.  Jacob was returning home after spending about 20 years away from his family.  When Jacob had left, we wasn't on the best of terms with his brother Esau.  As a matter of fact, Esau had threatened to kill him.  Now Jacob is on his way home and he hears that Esau, along with a band of 400 hundred men is on his way to meet Jacob.  Jacob thought, "This can't be good!" 

However, in the time since Jacob had left he had encountered God, on several occasions.  God has promised him several times that He would take care of Jacob and his family.  His family would grow and flourish, and would one day inherit the land that God had promised to give to Abraham.  God had promised.  But Jacob now is wrestling with a question that many people must wrestle with:  "Can God be trusted?"  Jacob did not act like He could believe God's promises.  The Scripture text tells us that Jacob was afraid and greatly distressed when he heard Esau was coming.  He cried out to the Lord to save him and deliver him from his brother.  God had actually already begun to answer Jacob's prayer, before he prayed it.  Esau had given up his plans to kill Jacob.  God had changed his heart.  And he was coming out to greet his brother and family.  

Jacob's story tells us that one of the sources of fear and distress in our lives is when we don't remember or believe the promises of God.  God can be trusted.  I will admit that sometimes God's actions are hard to understand or explain.  But we can trust that He is working for our good and to accomplish His purposes.  So quiet your hear and trust God!