I think if we grew warts for every time we worried, that I would be covered. Have you ever had a wart before? They really aren’t pretty. It takes a long time to get them to go away. Sometimes only freezing it works. I think the same is true with worrying. Sometimes we have to freeze our worrying (or stop doing it) and give it to God in order to experience His peace. That’s what we really want anyway, right...His Peace.
Why do we worry? Is it a control issue? Is God not doing things the way we would expect Him to? Is He moving too slow for us? Are we filled with doubt that God will ever come through for us? What is it? I think it can be a combination of the above at different seasons in our lives. Does our worrying really change anything?
I am doing a book study presently and a phrase I read in the book has sunk deep into my spirit and won’t leave. It is, “When you hit tough circumstances… What attribute of God do you struggle to believe?” Hmmm…. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. What leads ME to worry? What attribute am I not believing God for when I worry? I finally realized what it is… it is believing for His provision.
Even though God has provided over and over again for me, I still struggle in this area. I’m being open and honest with you. I guess I’m a control freak. I am also very protective and motherly. I always want to make sure everything is taken care of, but when it comes to God I need to chill. I guess it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to mother God and take care of Him. He doesn’t NEED my help. Sometimes I struggle with God’s timing. He doesn’t do things the way I think He should and I need to learn that it’s O.K. He obviously has everything under control and can see the big picture. He is trying to protect me and do what is best whether I like it or not.
Many scriptures come to mind when I think about worrying. If I am not speaking to anyone today, I am speaking to me.
Matthew 6:33-34
”Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (NLT)
Hebrews 12:2
“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever…” (MSG)
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” (NLT)
How often do we only depend on our own understanding? In the long run, who would you trust more with your life? You or God? I guess I would have to say God, but my actions and attitude don’t always show it.
1 Peter 5:7
”Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” (NLT)
Do we trust Him with the DETAILS of our lives? I think that is my biggest hang up. When it comes down to the details, I like to worry. He can have my life, my family, my future, but I just want to help Him with the execution of it all. Couldn’t I just be His personal assistant when it comes to my life? I am really good at assisting. But I guess God never put out a help wanted ad. He has it all covered with out me.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (NLT)
God wants to make a trade with us today, our worries for His peace. It sounds like a good trade, but it’s hard to let go of what we hold onto so tightly. Making the trade means giving up the actions of worrying, the thoughts, the worry verbage, and the worry attitude. It’s an all or nothing deal. But in return, we get to experience His peace that passes all understanding that will run through every part of our being. It’s transforming.
So, what will it be? The choice is ours. We can choose worry or peace. I think I’ve decided to go for God’s peace. Worry seems like a waste of time and energy. It’s actually a trap set by Satan to distract us and pull us away from God. He will not win with me. I pray God will fill you with His peace today. Give all your worries to Him and you will never regret it.
Living to leave a legacy,
Julie
