In the Face of Worry

Response to an emotion can be very varied but experiencing basic emotions is very universal and shared by all. Worry is one such emotion that is not exclusive and is so very real.

As Christians, we are not exempt from the trials and troubles of life nor are we ensured an unchallenging journey. So yes, we all do feel the weight of worry from time to time. The things we worry about are neither insignificant or inconsequential, it is human nature to lean into getting concerned and be disquieted. But we have to be mindful to not allow ourselves to be enslaved by our worries.

God wants us to trust His love, care, provision and protection, so when we worry incessantly what does it do to our relationship with Him?

Worry can fragment our relationship with God.

Isaiah 51:13
says “You forget the Lord your maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor.”

This verse emphasises the correlation between fear and worry and forgetting God. We will succumb to living in fear recurrently only if we strip our focus away from the Lord. We forget to look to our rock and our shelter. We neglect to remember the many precious promises of our Lord, that He is our Father who is merciful; full of grace, our provider and giver of all comforts.

The scripture verse says “we fear because of the fury of the oppressor”; God governs all, He is sovereign. The fury of the oppressor is not greater than our God or out of His power to control, so why yield to it, place that fear at His feet.

Throughout scripture, God reminds us of the importance of turning to Him in times of need and depending on Him for all things. Our mighty God who laid the foundations of the earth can adeptly handle what we are facing in the day.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 “ This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah delineates the difference between one who places His trust in the Lord versus the one who relies on man. The contrast between the two choices is quite striking. We are reminded that the one who places their trust and confidence in the Lord is blessed. Their lives are firmly planted in the Lord, protected by the Lord and productive for the Lord. What reassuring words to hold close to our hearts.

So, in the face of worry what do we do;

1. Choose to Worship instead of worry – Let your thoughts be governed by the words and promises of God rather than worrisome contemplations. You got time on your hands, spend that time worshipping and praising God instead of wallowing in your worry. Mathew 6:27 says “who by worrying can add a single hour to their lives.” Well, no one, worrying is a futile activity.
   
2. Hand over your worries to God – Cast your cares on God (1 Peter 5:6-7). Casting your cares on God does not mean we sit idly by; we do what we have to and not stress about what we cannot control. He will give you the strength to do what needs to be done and bless you with patience to wait on His timing.
   
3. Ask for Peace – There is the promise of peace that passes all understanding from our heavenly Father when we turn to Him in prayer and ask for it (Philippians 4:6-7). A heart of prayer cultivates peace.
   
4. An attitude of Gratitude – sprinkle your prayers with thanksgiving, we are to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It strengthens our faith.
   
5. Live in light of eternity – John 14:2 says “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” Let us never lose sight of the promise that extends past this life.
   

Worry accomplishes nothing for the future but cheats us of the grace God gives us in the moment. So, in the face of worry, let us open our eyes to His Grace, His comfort, His peace and His blessing that He provides in the now, in our hour of need.

Our God is mightier than anything that causes us to worry.