Worry comes naturally. It’s another name for fear. Many Christians worry a lot, but they shouldn’t. In the previous blog we started listing things we don’t have to worry about. We mentioned health, finances, fearing we won’t have what we need and our safety and protection as things we don’t need to fear. Let’s add some more items to our list.
UNCONTROLLED EMOTIONS. I realized it helped me to ask myself, “What is the worst thing that could happen?” Then I could objectively do what I could about it, if anything. Other than that, I knew just what to turn over to God and trust Him to do what He knows is best (Hebrews 11:1). Just vaguely worrying about anything and everything is just feeding our emotions. Our faith comes from our rational mind, not our emotions. Let your mind explain reality to your emotions. Base your mind on God’s word and what God can do (Ephesians 3:20). When you and I truly trust God and His character, then we will believe His is good, He is loving, and He is so much wiser than we are. Then, when He allows something we don’t understand, we can rest, knowing He is able to work all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), rather than worrying that God got it wrong.
MISSING OUT. Are you worried you’ll never marry, you’ll never have a child, you’ll never get your dream job, you’ll fail at something important or you’ll never make a difference in this world? Psalm 84:11 says “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” If you are walking uprightly and honoring God, you never need to worry that He will withhold something truly good for you. It may not be the right thing, or the right time. Trust Him.
MY REPUTATION. Have you ever lost sleep wondering how you will respond to an unfair situation that calls your integrity into question? Have you worried about your defense, or how to clear up a misunderstanding or how to silence the false allegations that are circulating about you? You don’t have to worry. God promises He has your back (Psalm 101:2-3). God will take care of our reputation if we follow and serve Him, no matter what others may think or say (Isaiah 54:17).
GOD CAN’T/WON’T HANDLE MY PROBLEM. We worry when we feel God has forgotten us or is incapable of handling what concerns us. We fear we will have to face something that is too great for us. Yet, Proverbs 16:3 advises: “Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.” That means once we commit it to God, we can trust the results with Him rather than fearing we will be short-changed, cheated or destined for failure. God’s Word promises not only that your plans will succeed when they are committed to Him, but also that God is incapable of making a mistake. Psalm 18:30 says “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” That means He is perfectly capable of handling all that concerns you and He makes no mistakes.
Anything you want to add to that list? I think all Christians can agree that those are things we no longer need to worry about. What good is worrying? It’s been said it is like rocking in a rocking chair. It keeps you busy but doesn’t get you anywhere.
How much time do you and I waste worrying about what we have absolutely no control over? God can control everything we think we must and all that we know we can’t. So, when we wring our hands with worry and fret, we are saying to God “I don’t think You have a handle on this.” Scripture makes it clear there are only two things you and I can control: our attitudes and our actions. So, control your mind and thoughts by focusing on what is true—not on what might or might not happen (Philippians 4:8). Control your actions by being quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19). And control your speech by saying only words that build others up (Ephesians 4:29). Defer to God on the rest and you’ll experience what it means to be a prayer warrior instead of a panicked worrier.
Philippians 4:6–7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Which of these are you most prone to worry about? Why? What promises can you claim instead?
PROMISES TO OVERCOME WORRY: Psalm 23:1-3; 84:11; Matthew 6:23; Philippians 4:19; Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 23:4; 118:6; Genesis 15:1; 26:24; Exodus 14:13; Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10; Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 14:27; 2 Chronicles 32:7-8
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
ChristianTrainingOnline.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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