Worry-Free Living, Part 2
In yesterday’s post, I talked about the uselessness of worry, and how it steals our peace, joy and trust in God. I briefly mentioned that we need to look back at times God came through for us in the past to encourage ourselves. Consider how He has provided for you. If you are still here and are reading this post, that is evidence of the keeping power of Almighty God. God never changes. What He did before, He will do again.
Worry will consume our thoughts, harm our health, and cause us to make wrong decisions. On the other hand,as we look to Jesus, this builds confidence.
God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him. I Peter 5:7 (Contemporary English Version, CEV)
The next time you begin to worry, turn that concern over to Him. God never made us to carry the heavy burden of worry and care. Let God carry the load for you.
Years ago I learned something that has helped me in this area, and I want to share it with you. Let me ask you a question. Who is responsible to take care of a child- the child or the parent? The obvious answer is the parent. Are you God’s child? If so, then your Heavenly father is responsible to take care of you, His child. That is a freeing concept.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:25-33 (NIV)
Jesus tells us here not to worry, and then not to speak forth that worry. He assures that the Father knows what we need, so we should simply seek Him and what we need will be provided. If natural parents love and provide for their children, how much more will our Heavenly father care for us?
So, here are steps you can take to defeat worry:
When you are tempted to speak words of worry, pray instead. Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 7:11
Worship God when worry comes. John 4:23-24, Psalm 100
Speak the Word of God. Isaiah 55:10-11
Give. Luke 6:38
Wait on the Lord. Psalms 40:1-3, Psalms 27:14
Receive from God. Hebrews 6:12, 15, Hebrews 10:35-36
Seek God. Psalms 34:10, Psalms 9:10
God is a good Father, and we can trust Him to take care of every situation and meet each need. Allow Him to carry the worry so you can live worry-free.
