“Be Bold and Courageous! Do Not be Afraid” (Joshua 1:9)
Worry is another word for fear. When we fret, we wear away our peace, like a river wears away at the earth, making new passageways. However, these are not paths that quiet our soul. These are paths that lead to torment. Yes, torment. It may sound medieval, if you cannot stop thinking, stop worrying, increasing your frustration, the harassment of worry culminates in torment.
Worry is commonly mis-interpreted to mean, “I care for you; therefore, I worry about you.” That means, I am in constant fear for you. Ergo, the greater my worry, the greater my love.
That is deception. I had a conversation with a woman a few years ago about our children driving. She commented on how she worried, just feared every night her teenager went out. She could not rest until that teenager was home, safely tucked in bed.
She wanted me to confirm that fear. Instead, I told her what I believe, “I pray protection over my sons daily so that no harm comes to them. I pray that God hedges them in front and behind. If I worried, then I wouldn’t be trusting that God was doing just what His word says He will do for my sons.”
I have had to retrain my thinking. Worry creates obsessive thinking in my case. Worry is like an ant eating away all my other thoughts, just leaving worry in my mind. I had to stop worrying! Not only for my peace of mind, but because every time I worried, I was telling God I didn’t trust Him and His promises. God sent people across my path who taught me eradicate worry like the Orkin man takes care of infestation. However, just like the Orkin man, it is not a one treatment solution.
When worry knocks at the door to my mind, I spend time with my Father. He gives me the heads-up for what I need to be doing. Sometimes it is just waiting. Sometimes it is a call to action. Sometimes it is a call to prayer. It is always a call to trust.
The next time worry whispers in your ear, calling you down the path of worry, shut the door, call the Father, and trust. Trust the promises of God!
Hmmm, what food for future thought. I worry all the time about every little thing. I have been encouraged by that verse so many times, I just wonder when I’ll truly “get it?” That would be so nice… to just not worry!
Wonderful encouragement, as usual.
Wonderful reminder that when we leave it in God’s Hands..it’s done. Nothing else to do but praise HIM..thanks and hugs rozzi
Wow… I just can’t get over all of the things that God is laying down before me this week! Your post is something that has been on my mind today! I struggle with this very thing! I was worrying all the time about my son’s safety, health, etc! I mean… I worried A LOT! I knew that I had to let it go! I knew that just like you said… if I didn’t… I was basically saying to God.. “I don’t trust you”! Well… today while I was driving.. out of the blue I started thinking about how unworried I have been lately and almost felt guilty … like I didn’t love my son as much anymore!! 🙂
I promise… not 30 minutes ago it hit me… I got on to my husband recently about not worrying enough! Now… some of it .. he should probably worry about a little more but.. it hit me tonight that maybe I was in the wrong. Maybe he has the right attitude (again…. if you knew my husband… you would agree that some things… he should use more common sense .. ha) but… maybe I should be more like him and just not worry about everything! Then I thought… well… how far do you take that? I mean… (for example) if your husband has a habit of not paying attention to the road while driving… do you worry when he takes your child in the car without you? I say a prayer about it everytime but… do I also try to point out to my husband that maybe he could pay a little more attention and seem to care a little more that our son is in the car?!?! If so… this usually causes an argument or at least… makes my husband unhappy!
My mother is just like you described… she associates worry with love. Naturally… I have always done that myself! After I had my son… I realized really quick that.. this is not healthy for anyone and sure doesn’t make for a happy family!! It takes the joy out of everything!
Wow… God is really speaking to me this week through so many people! Thank you for this post and Thank you Thank you Thank you for your kind words on my latest post!! 🙂 I truly appreciate everything you said! Sorry for my rambling comment!! 🙂
The Joshua 1:9 verse was a delivering comfort to me, the night prior to undergoing brain surgery when I was 23 years old. I didn’t know much about the Bible at that time; what I did know was that God told me to have the brain surgery and that He would take care of me. It was the first time I heard God’s audible voice.
I experienced “the peace that surpassess all understanding” after that God-encounter, until the night before the surgery. I was sitting in the hospital’s solarium and suddenly fear began to grip me. I said, “God, You said You would take care of me,” and I randomly opened my Bible. My eyes fell on Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you, be strong and of good courage. Be neither afraid or dimayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Immediately, Peace returned and I began to write notes of encouragement for my family to read while I was undergoing surgery.
God did fulfill His word to me! He took care of me and I had none of the horrible side effects from the surgery that had been predicted.
Thank you for writing this post. It is a good reminder to me and others. We will Love Jesus more than the cares of this world!
Thanks, also for visiting my blog. Fire does have flat feet, and I did purchase inserts for his soccer cleets. I’m thinking I should try another pair though. We have a cousin who’s a physical therapist and he said Fire’s IT band is extrememly tight, which is causing the pain.
May the blessings of knowing Jesus overwhelm you today!
I have worked hard in my adult life to turn away from worry for all the reasons you mention. It still creeps in, once in awhile, but with prayer, I do my best to leave it at His feet. Thank you for such a wonderful post regarding worry and reminding us not too!
Maryleigh, I completely 100% agree with every word of this post! Excellent job! I learned when I was very young that worry did nothing but make life horrid in the midst of circumstances that usually ended just fine. But more than that, God showed me as I got older that worry is the result of fear which is faith in the lies of the enemy and peace is the result of faith in His promises. Life is so much more enjoyable to trust Him than not to. I want to enjoy every aspect of the salvation that Jesus bought and paid for me to have, and that includes every promise to the righteous, including peace and protection instead of worry and destruction. Loved this.
Christy
I love what you have here. You are so right. I was just sharing with my girls last night that if we really trust the Lord there is no need for fear in our lives. And fear is truly a lack of trust in the Lord.
I look forward to checking out more on your blog when time permits. It seems we have a lot in common.
Kat
Dear Maryleigh,
I agree 100% with what you wrote, and especially how you summarized what worry is, in one sentence:
…every time I worried, I was telling God I didn’t trust Him and His promises.
Worry is unbelief, pure and simple, but oftentimes, we are deceived that worry is a form of care. It isn’t. Worry is giving room to the spirit of fear, which is a demonic scheme to keep us from moving forward and looking up.
It confines us within our limited human options to take care of our lives.
But, God says, look at the birds of the air!
Worry is rooted in fear, and fear is the exact opposite of love.
Fear is a wall around our heart that keeps us from trusting in the Only One who is called our Protector.
Thank you for this post!
Thanks for stopping by my blog on my SITS day!
This is a wonderful post. I admit, I am one of those constant worriers, especially about my children. Thanks for letting me see things in a new way.
You have a lot of wisdom. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you. It’s like you wrote it just for me. 🙂
A great post!
I once read a good definition of worry. Worry is defined as “unproductive thoughts circling around the center of fear.”
Hearing that definition the first time was when I connected worry and fear together. I admit, I don’t fret or worry about many small things. (I tend to be calm by nature.) But there are times when I DO have a lot of fear about the big things. Trusting in God’s Word is the only solution for me, and also practicing A LOT of patience.
Thanks for visiting Chrysalis!
Blessings, e-Mom ღ