Thursday, October 16, 2008

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

The ticking of the clock on the mantle is the only sound I hear right now. Seconds turn to minutes. Minutes to hours. Hours to days. The ticking noise reminds me that I have wasted a lot of time in my life doing meaningless things. Time that I can not get back. But one thing that really bothers me is the amount of time I have wasted on worry. I have even earned the worry frown line between my eyes. My daughter says I need a shot or two of Botox. That would only put a band-aid on a much deeper issue, I am afraid. You see, it's more than tissue deep! Someone even told me one time, If worrying were an Olympic sport, you'd get the gold for sure.

You would think after the countless times God has delivered me, provided for me, and after all I have experienced in my forty-six, (almost forty-seven years) that somehow I would have slain and conquered worry.
Still I worry. I worry about the safety of our children (and grandchild), our schools, the economy, my husband’s job, our shrinking budget, what people think of me, political matters, my family’s health, etc.
Despite all the time I spend worrying, the world keeps spinning and I realize I can not get back the time I have wasted on worry.

I can not accomplish anything while worrying. It doesn’t solve a thing… it’s a total waste of time. Matthew 6:27-29 says Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

Worrying is unhealthy! It can make me sick. Proverbs 12:25 says Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

I forfeit peace when I choose to worry. Philippians 4:6-7 says Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him forall he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

When I am attentive to God, I understand more about how He loves me and I realize I have nothing to worry about. God has an amazing plan for my life, and part of that plan includes taking care of me. Even in the stressful, uncertain times, when it seems like God is silent, I can put my complete trust in the Lord. God will take care of my every need.
Matthew 6:25 says That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?


Father, forgive me for my lack of faith. Thank you for your continual grace and mercy. Thank you for loving me and watching over me. Help me to trust you alone and lean on your understanding. I praise you, O Lord for your mighty works. You alone are worthy!

1 comment:

Michelle said...

Amen. Here's an awesome article on worry. I'm going to print it, and have it handy. Thankfully, I am not a worrier, but a truster, in our loving God. There are times, though, that I do get anxious, and I just have to remind myself that you can't waste time worrying on things that not in OUR control.

http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/3844.htm

Be blessed,
Michelle