At first glance, I would say I am not a worrier. I work with people who are worriers and honestly I usually just want to say “choose to stop.” I realize it is not that simple, but it is not something I really relate to generally.
I don’t spend a lot of time on the “What If’s” of life. I don’t generally stress about what people say or think about me. I am not concerned about keeping up with others, so I usually don’t worry about stuff like what brand name is on something (Except my macaroni and cheese and hot dogs) or if I have the newest gadget or version. God has blessed me with what I need; I don’t worry about having enough clothing to wear or food to eat. So as I thought about writing about trust on this passage, my mind immediately went to a simplistic blog about trusting God as ultimately worry boils down to lack of trust.
However, I realize that we really do all worry about things. As I prayed about what God wanted me to share, two instances of worry in my own life came up. Neither is something I think about daily, but both instances halted my progress. When we start worrying about things, we become so focused on what could happen that we stop taking action on what needs to happen.
Worry often hides from plain sight; sometimes it looks like insecurity as we question if we can really do something. When I place my trust in my ability, insecurity will rise. In both of the instances that I was reminded of, my worry was in the belief that I couldn’t or wouldn’t be able that stopped me from moving forward. One was tied to weight loss and the other was tied to ministry. As I thought about both situations, I believed that what was inside of me was not enough to take me where I needed to go. The fact is, that is probably right. However, the truth is I can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13)
Over the past ten months. I have started on a weight loss journey. It is a long path, and at times I fail, but when I return my focus to Him and what He desires from me those insecurities fade. He has given me deeper insight that motivates me and drives me. I am fifty pounds down, and not once has those things I was worried about become an issue. Do I keep guard in those areas, absolutely. However they are no longer the driving force that keeps me from moving into action.
The second area, I admit I just stepped in to one day. Sometimes God moves things around and lets people speak things into our lives that reveal a worry. I wrote earlier this week of feeling like I was unworthy to walk in the things that God was calling me towards. I was worried I wasn’t qualified because of other factors. Someone once said “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” It is not in and of myself I will do anything. I have found that I am much more impactful when I rely on Him instead of my own ability anyway.
God wants to take care of us. He takes care of the bords nd he flowers, and He sees us us more valuable. We are made in His image. If we will turn our worries over to Him, He will take them. We don’t have to pick them back up, although He doesn’t stop us if that is what we want to do. We can place our insecurities, fears, uncertainty and concerns at the Cross. He already has the answer. The scriptures give us some advice about worrying in Philippians 4:6
- Don’t worry about anything. That is pretty direct, just don’t worry. When you find yourself worrying or facing an insecurity, fear, uncertainty, or concern – STOP! You can’t stop thoughts from coming to your mind, but you can take them captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and choose not to dwell on them.
- Pray about everything. Once you have taken it captive, give it to God in prayer. Ask for forgiveness for letting it worry you. If we confess our sin, He is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9).
- Tell God what you need. If you really need to go over the reasons your worried – tell them to the Father – don’t get all your friends on board with your worries. Our words have the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21), why not speak to the Word of Life (1 John 1:1) and let Him transform your thoughts (Romans 12:2). Look up scriptures that speak to your circumstances and stand on them. God’s Word is full of promises for His children and His Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11).
- Thank Him for all He has done. When we being to praise God, there is not room for worry. We enter into His courts with thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4). Maybe you can’t praise God for the thing you are worried about, but we all have something we can praise God for. Turning your focus to thanksgiving will keep you in His presence until that worry passes and you can move forward. You can trust that God’s Word can carry you. Stand on it thanking Him for the promises.
This blog is part of a #Write31Days series on trust. 31 Days is an online writing challenge, where bloggers pick one topic and write a post on that topic every day in October.
Restoring Voice 