Luke 12:22-23, “22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.”
Worry is faith in fear. Worry comes from our lack of trust in a good God who promised to never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Worry will never pay our bills, increase our productivity, give us favor or make us strong. Worry only drains our hopes and saps ours strength. Worry can even choke out the life of God in us and cause us to perish (Mark 4:19). Worry is sinful.
We worry the most when we trust God the least.
Worry’s best friend, “stress” can lead to physical illness, increased body weight, lack of sleep and mental distress. As a result, worry and stress are not good for the Christian and need to be rejected the same as any other sin. The same way a disciple would repent of perversion and avoid it at all costs, by God’s grace, we need to repent of stress and worry.
Though most of our worries may be based on life’s situations, we need to put our faith in God’s truth. The fact may be that you have little money and big bills, however, the truth of God’s Word says in Philippians 4:19, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Therefore, what are you going to put your faith in- God or fear?
It is said that we think on average over 20,000 thoughts per day. If just one out of ten of our thoughts are negative that means we can think 2,000 worry filled thoughts every day. No wonder so many people are depressed- God help us! Corrie ten Boom once said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”
The answers to worry are found in God’s word; (1) Place all your cares and burdens on Jesus (Matthew 11:28). (2) Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). (3) Meditate daily on God’s Word (Psalm 1:2). (4) Let your mind be renewed by the Holy Spirit as you offer your body in obedience to God’s will for your life (Romans 12:1-2). (5) Always be thankful to God for who He is and what He has done (Psalm 147). (6) Only direct your thinking towards Holy Ghost inspired thoughts (Philippians 4:8).
Paul said in Philippians 4:6-8, “6 Do not be anxious [worrisome] about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Paul said we have a choice regarding what we think about. So if you have worries in your life pray this out loud, “Heavenly Father, I repent for worrying because I haven’t been trusting you with my life. I believe that if you care for the birds in the sky and the lilies of the field then you care for me. I choose to trust you and have faith in your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Reflection
Are you free from all worry?
Action
- Repent if you have any worry in your life.
- Daily pray and meditate on God’s Word.
- Whenever worry tries to come back speak the Word of God over your life and let the peace of God guard your heart and mind!
