I am a worrier. In fact, worry consumes more of my time than it should and traipses after me day and night. When my loved ones travel cross country? I fret. Will a careless driver hit the car somewhere between Colorado and California? When I drop my children at school in the morning? I worry. Will a madman introduce terror to young children and their teachers? When my college student discusses his plans to serve and share Jesus in far off countries rife with persecution? I chafe inwardly. Will my son be safe pursuing His call?
If you’re a worrier, you understand. It’s a battle to maintain balanced thinking in a wildly-out-of-control society. Still, scripture urges us not to “worry about tomorrow” because “each day has enough of its own troubles”. (Matthew 6:34)
[bbctt tweet=”Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. “]
The Message reads like this, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”
A neatly packaged three point mini-sermon, this verse outlines three habits that eliminate worry.
Focus on God What is He doing in our lives today? In this moment? Is there a lesson for us to learn? A calling to fulfill? A blessing to be noticed?
[bbctt tweet=”A heart overwhelmed by anxiety loses sight of the beauty in the everyday and forfeits soul rest, peace and joy.”]
A heart overwhelmed by anxiety loses sight of the beauty in the everyday and forfeits soul rest, peace and joy. But we are face-to-face with a Father who longs to remove our burdens and take them upon Himself. He is equipped to carry each concern. To do the heavy lifting. To be God.
Forgo Fear Dwelling on the what-ifs shifts our focus from the possibilities of today to a mindset mangled by fear and opens the door to the Enemy’s wily ways of deceit. When fear takes hold we forget the greatness of God. We reduce Him to the size of our problems rather than comparing our troubles to the immensity of His power and perfect love.
[bbctt tweet=”When fear takes hold we forget the greatness of God. We reduce Him to the size of our problems rather than comparing our troubles to the immensity of His power and perfect love.”]
Because “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18), we can rest in His love. We loosen our grip on the idea of control, immerse our minds in the Word of life, and practice being in His presence. He is able, friend, to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)
Find Strength in Him Worry draws us inward rather than upward. But, our answers aren’t discovered within. There, we experience anxiety. Discouragement. Even despair. Instead, our sure solutions are found in the One whose strength is displayed in our weakness. The One who forges paths in places where none existed before, brightens the darkness with Light, and presents mercies anew each day.
He is the Almighty God, friend. The Messiah who overcame death is more than able to manage our worries.
 
Action Steps

1. List the 3 areas of your life that cause you to worry the most.
2. Ask God to reveal His heart for these three areas. Write down the specific ways He wants to enter into your situation and concerns.
3. Post Bible verses that remind you of God’s strength around your home or carry them in your bag. I’ve listed a few of my favorites below.

• Romans 16:25 (MSG) All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to          make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ…
•  Isaiah 33:2 (NIV) Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every       morning, our salvation in time of distress.
• Psalm 55:22 (NIV) Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will        never let the righteous be shaken.

Grace and peace,
Tammy