“Give your worries and cares to God . . for He cares what happens to you.” 1 Peter 5.7 NLT
“Worry results from your helpless feelings of inability to control or change things.”
My thoughts today consider, “why worry?”
I’ll bet you cannot remember what you worried about a month ago. A week ago? Even yesterday? You would remember – in fact you could not forget – if what you were worrying about had actually happened as you feared it might. So much worry is needless.
People worry about a past they cannot change, or a future they cannot control, while frittering away amazing opportunities today. How is that working out for you? Why worry? Worry comes from your helpless feelings of inability to control or change people or things about which you are concerned. When did you presume that you could, or should, control or change everything about your life and circumstances that is uncomfortable now or uncertain tomorrow?
Jesus said that most of your worry is about not having enough, not being secure, or what might happen tomorrow. The first are needless because, “Your Father knows what you need,” (Matthew 6:32) and the latter is pointless because, “As your days are, so shall your strength be.” Deuteronomy 33:25. Strength is daily, measured and given sufficiently to the demands of that day alone. You cannot change tomorrow’s cares no matter how much of today’s strength you apply to it. Worrying adds nothing good to your life and takes valuable things from it. So why worry?
The Bible urges you to “give your worries to God.” 1 Peter 5:7 NLT. But how do you do that? God has good advice for you, “Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again, rejoice! . . Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses everything will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7.
In the above verses, the antidote for worry is simple and practical: (1) find a reason to rejoice – (2) worry about nothing – (3) pray about everything – (4) be thankful at all times – (5) talk it over with God – (6) keep His peace in your heart and mind. You can worry, or you can talk to God. It’s hard to do both successfully, especially at the same time. It’s a choice you make.
Worrying fills your thoughts with panic; trusting fills your heart with peace. Peace or panic – which will you choose today? The cure for worry is to remember that your God “cares about what happens to you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NLT. God cares; He really does. Now, go get some rest and let God work!
My prayer for you today is that your heart will be worry-free and peace-filled.