
the post about worry.
I’ve been guilty of doing something lately that the bible says not to do.
There’s a lot going on in our family that I cannot talk about yet, but it’s difficult and painful stuff and I’ve been worrying about what’s going to happen with all of it.
Worrying about what the future looks like.
Worrying about what we could do to “fix” our situation.
Worrying.
Then this morning, I read this verse and felt so convicted:
Matthew 6:34: “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Guilty.
You see…I am a planner. I am organized. I like to have all my ducks in a row. So when unexpected things happen, or difficult trials arise, or complex problems can’t be solved, I don’t do well. I obsess over every piece of the puzzle, frantically trying to make it all fit together.
But I am learning that there is a difference between planning for tomorrow and worrying about it.
And sometime last week, I crossed over the line.
In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us 4 different times not to worry, and he reassures us that our Heavenly Father will meet all of our needs. Then he asks a poignant question in verse 30, “And if God cares so wonderfully for the wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”
So little faith.
Worrying is a faith issue.
I’d rather believe it’s a mark of a super conscientious and over-prepared planner.
So I try to justify my worry a hundred different ways:
“I’m so nervous.”
“I’m just concerned.”
“I’m really stressed.”
But calling it by other names doesn’t fool God. He sees my situation and my heart (and my worry) and he wants me to trust him.
Trust that he will provide what I need to live each day.
Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us: “The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day.
He will provide enough mercy for today’s troubles today. And tomorrow he will provide the mercies I need for tomorrow’s troubles. My worry is a sign that I do not trust that God’s mercies for the future will be there to sustain me in the future.
Therefore, if I have worry, it means I need to trust him more.
Day by day, I must choose to trust.
Trust that he holds all the days of my life.
Trust him enough to hand over my worries about the future.
Trust his promises to carry me each and every day.
Trust his mercies.
Dear Friends, do you ever feel weighed down by worry like I do? Are you carrying the heavy burden of tomorrow’s troubles? Are you borrowing trouble that God never meant for you to carry with today’s allotment of strength? I have felt that way for a week and it’s crushing. But I want to trust him instead, so I am praying this prayer today and I invite you to join me.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for who you are and all that you are. Thank you that I can trust you to provide all that I need all the days of my life. Thank you for your mercies that are new everyday. Thank you for promising to take care of me. Please forgive my lack of trust in you. I confess that I have been worrying about my circumstances instead of laying them at your feet and trusting you to help me. Father, I affirm my trust in your perfect love and provision, and ask that you would increase my faith. Your will be done in my life.
Amen.
These are the verses that I am claiming and clinging to this week:
Psalm 33:2-22:
“We put our hope in the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,
for our hope is in you alone.”
Psalm 34:8-10:
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!
Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who trust him will have all they need.
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
As always, I love hearing from you. If this blog finds you worried, send me a message or comment below and I will get on my knees for you. Let’s do this faith journey together.
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Thank you for this. This has been more then true for me these past weeks. Just keeping my head above water is the worst feeling ever. Making sure ones decisions don’t bring a person back to where they were before is my biggest fear. Wanting the best for your family and trying your hardest hoping it’s enough, praying it’s enough.I feel your frustration. Thank you again for your testimony. Beth Murawski
Thanks for reading Beth.
I will add you to my prayer list and hope that you feel God’s peace and comfort in the coming days and weeks. God’s plan is hard sometimes, but it sounds like you are doing your best and seeking him…which is exactly what we are supposed to do. Keep up the good fight.
Your blog raises concerns for me and I’d guess other readers too. Reason: Because the lack of specific information about what drives your worries only raises concern about what awful thing(s) may be happening to you and/or your family. Regardless, our Father knows your situation, and can wash over you with peace of mind and grace to calm your heart.
Whatever it is, or they are, I’ll lift up a prayer that God will resolve you fear and worries quickly.
Thanks for the prayers. Our family will be fine… God is good and we trust that he is in all of this. I will share more as soon as I can. Life is full of the unexpected and we know that this too shall pass.
Thanks so much for your concern and prayers.
Hi Aminta,
I have been reading your posts that your husband has been sharing on his facebook (we graduated high school together).
I too have been dealing with a lot of worry…I guess fear is a better word in my case. So much so, that it has been causing near panick attacks. I have prayed, and that has helped. I was wondering if you had any helpful bible verses I can read to help ease my fear? I go to sleep after praying, with my fear eased up, but it creeps back up upon awakening, and gets worse throughout the day.
I am enjoying reading your posts! I have 5 kids…1 in 2nd grade, 3 in middle school, and 1 in high school. So your post about teenagers also hits home!
Thank you,
Robyn
Hi Robyn,
Thanks for reaching out. I have battled that too… had the daily struggle of fighting panic attacks. It’s not fun.
There are so many verses… I usually start with the psalms. There are so many… the section from psalm 20-35 is super good with lots of promises. Romans 8:28, Hebrews 12, Psalm 139, Jeremiah 29:11. All of them remind me that the Lord is good and he loves me and is my helper. Being in the word has been the best medicine for me, hands down.
I will be praying for you… for peace and comfort and trust.
Minta