There was a time in my life when I thought to worry, was the right approach to any situation. If I didn’t worry, it seemed like I wasn’t showing concern for the problem. So I worried. I talked a lot about it, I burdened others with the problem, and I’ll end with the phrase; “I don’t know what to do.”
And that was it. I never knew what to do when I worried. The problem was never solved, and that left me constantly anxious. Should another problem arise, I was too afraid to face it because I never arrived at a solution anyway. I didn’t see the vicious cycle; my response to worry, created an even more dangerous problem of anxiety, giving birth to the deadly evil called fear. What a life of torment!
What was I doing worrying about my problems? I was simply telling God, the creator of everything that be, that I didn’t trust Him enough to handle my problems, and I didn’t believe in His tender care for me. Believe it or not, that’s the message I was sending.
Oh, but can’t God lift my problems off me, even if I don’t ask? No, He cannot. He cannot receive what I have not offered to Him. I must offer my worry in surrender, humility, and complete trust in who He is (my Father), and His love for me. Then I go to rest, knowing that He’ll sort it out.
That’s why, our key verse Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG) says, “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worry into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.”
Prayer (that is, offering petitions, praises, and telling God your concerns)and studying God’s word, is what you do in place of worry and anxiety. It says in return, you will receive God’s peace or wholeness, that will come and settle you down. Our Father God wants us to trust Him with our concerns and worries. He delights in satisfying us with His peace, His peace that passes all understanding.
This is the kind of peace that stills the storm that confronts you. One second it’s boisterous round about you, the next second, there’s a calm, calm in your heart and in your mind, and assurance of God’s presence and love for you. A firm knowing that He has fixed the problem.
This is the kind of peace that makes you sleep like Jesus, in the midst of so much noise and uncertainty. While others run helter-skelter, you stand still to see the salvation of the Lord your God
Confession:
Today, I give my worries and concerns to you God. I know that you love me, and care for me tenderly. Give me your peace Lord, and I will not be afraid.
Click this link if you’d like us to pray with you or talk with you.
