Do you know what God's most frequently used warning in the Bible is? 'Fear not.' Worry is misplaced fear put into action. Why do we do it? It is hard to let go of what we can't control. Matthew 6; 27 ''Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?'' Worry not only eats at us but takes away our strength and peace. ''There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever.''-- Mahatma Gandhi
Our fears should be calmed knowing that God works with our best interest always in mind. He will also finish the good work He began in us. 'I've no cause to worry or to fear.' Sometimes we know of things destined for the future and we have to choose how to anticipate it. We can worry until it happens, waste peaceful days and then see God work it out despite your lack of trust in Him. Or we can lay our burden before Him in prayer, trust in His grace and accept what we never had control over to begin with.
'Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.'
T - Take one day at a time.
R - Remember all things work together for the good of those who love God.
U - Under no circumstances should you worry.
S - Start every day with prayer & thanksgiving.
T - The Lord will never forsake you.
We worry because we do not know the outcome of a given event, if we could see into the future we would not have a reason to worry. God know the future and tells us not to worry, however I believe that is just against our nature.
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That is a message that I never need to NOT hear! I come from a line of worriers and have made one of my life passages Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. My life is in His hands. Hallelujah!
ReplyDeleteWell, I needed that...as usual. Grateful that God is big enough to handle it all. Now, to live in that assurance!
ReplyDeleteAngie, I think if there's one thought that has helped me to deal with worry, it is the understanding that when the Lord says "Do not fear" he is not making a good suggestion but is giving me an order; an order with the same intensity as "Do not commit adultery" or "Do not kill". This has given me the resolve necessary to cut worry off much earlier in my thoughts than before. Thanks for your thoughts to help me start my new day. Have a great day ! Joel
ReplyDeleteDitto, Gloria. I, too, had a worrying mother. My grandmother was not a worrier, so I am not sure where Mother got that trait. But, as I have told you before, she would worry because she didn't have anything to worry about! That is pretty bad...or sad. I too claim Philippians 4:6-7...such a comforting and reassuring verse. Also love your TRUST example....I need to memorize that! Love you, T.
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