“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6, 7 MSG
Are you a worrier? Do you fret? Well, let me give you some good news: God doesn’t intend for you to worry. He wants you to rely on Him. He wants you to trust Him. And the more you know Him the easier it is to trust Him. Because you know that you know that He will never take you where His grace won’t sustain you.
“Instead of worrying, PRAY.” Instead of letting fear lend you some advice. Let your faith shut your fear up. Faith starves your fears.
Cry out to the One who is at-the-ready to answer. He’s only a prayer away. He knows your concerns before you have even uttered a word. So let your petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers.
Worry is saying to God that He cannot be trusted…that you know this situation better than He does. And once you figure it out you’ll get back to Him.
It’s telling the One who knows the end from the beginning that you don’t need or want His help or wisdom. Instead of acknowledging that the All-Knowing, Seeing-the-Big-Picture God can walk you through this situation, you fuss and fume, wring your hands and try to figure out what to do next.
Futile.
It’s like this…why would anyone want to drive the Road to Hana , in Maui, (which has tons of switchbacks and one-lane bridges), instead of letting the experienced, professional driver take you? He has more wisdom, knows the course like the back of his hand, and you can sit back, put your trust in the driver and experience the glorious scenery along the way.
The journey is meant to be enjoyed. No matter the mountains, switchbacks, one-lane bridges and sheer cliffs on the sides.
And it’s the same with the journey of life. “Let go and let God” isn’t just an old saying. It’s true.
Just like the Apostle Paul reminds us, “It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Try it…you’ll like it. So pray. And pray some more. And before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, (His peace) will come and settle you down. Right there, in the midst of your worry.
He didn’t intend for you to worry. He’s got it. That’s the Father’s love.
