I am SO glad I worried about that!
Have you ever thought that? Me either.
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” (Corrie ten Boom)
Worry wears us down and wastes time. When I give in to worry, I’m oblivious to sweet moments of the day and I accomplish little. The hours of potential sleep that I’ve exchanged for worry are uncountable . . . Yet it’s hard to not worry. After all, we’ve developed this pattern over a lifetime. If we think back, we probably worried as a child about a test, being included, a performance, or a relationship.
God doesn’t want us to worry, and he doesn’t want our child to worry. He wants us know him and rest in WHO he is.
Jesus teaches us to choose TRUST in God over WORRY. Each is an outlook on life. “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? . . . your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6.25,32b–33)
Trust or worry. We choose, every day.
When we rely on what we think, see, or hear, it’s easy to imagine a grim picture, which leads to worry. The root of worry is fear. When we let worry seep in to our thoughts, our mind races as negative possibilities accumulate. Before we know it our perspective is muddled with distracting, even paralyzing, thoughts.
Recognize WORRY. See it as a neon signal that your focus needs adjusting. Name your fear and all its details, and hand it to God. When we hand something to God, we begin a new conversation. Step close into the shadow of the Almighty. Be still. Be comforted. Be filled with his presence as he grows your faith.
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12.28)
When we worship God, our focus shifts to the One who will do what is best at the time that He knows is best.
Lord God, lead us from the prison of worry into freedom of faith in you. And help us teach our children, as we learn. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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