Wiser than I
Worry. We all have done it. None of us like it. It seems to be one of those nagging constants in life that we can’t get rid of. If you are anything like I am, over the years you may have worried about your living situation, your job, family, health, salvation of someone dear, the weather, and my personal favorite – the future! The list could go on and on. With all my worrying, I have learned two important lessons: one is that worrying never solves anything and the other is that worrying wears me down. And when I am worn down, I am less able to handle the challenges that come my way. If that is the case, then why do it? It is natural to care for those we love and want the best for them. We also tend to want to figure things out…and figure them out now! But God’s word tells us not to do that. Instead, we are to trust in Christ. Our energy is better spent offering our troubles to the Lord in prayer! Then we will have peace as we face the concerns in our life.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Trusting God and giving Him our worries doesn’t mean we won’t have trials. But it does mean that He will help us through our trials. God is always with us and He always cares. There is nothing so trivial that God doesn’t see and know. “Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you” (1 Peter 5:7). God has a plan for our lives and each thing that happens plays a part in bringing that plan to fruition.
One of the things that I know to be true is that God is much wiser than I am! (Oh, so much wiser!) His word offers such help as we struggle on our journeys to a better understand of His love for us. I am learning daily to trust Him for all the cares and worries in my life. He is able (and more than willing) to handle them all! Below is a great list of reasons not to worry, which I have printed out and tucked into my Bible. Each one is supported by a wonderful verse from the book of Matthew. I thought I’d share them with you today.
Seven Reasons Not to Worry:
- The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life. (Matthew 6:25)
- Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today. (Matthew 6:26)
- Worrying is more harmful than helpful. (Matthew 6:27)
- God does not ignore those who depend on Him. (Matthew 6:28-30)
- Worry shows a lack of faith and understanding of God. (Matthew 6:31, 32)
- There are real challenges God wants us to pursue, and worrying keeps us from them. (Matthew 6:33)
- Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry. (Matthew 6:34)
I pray that as we face each day, our hearts will be at peace as we offer our concerns to God! May we all learn the true joy of fully trusting our Lord!
Living for Him,
Very wise words to live by, Joan. You are right, worrying does not get us anywhere, but wears us down.
thanks for sharing your wisdom.
A devotional and powerful teaching rolled into one. Thank you for compiling such a thought provoking list!