Sometimes one of the hardest things to internalize about our faith is that worry has no place in God’s kingdom. I’ve been told everything from worry to being unchristian to it actually being a sin. I know at times I still get overly concerned about stuff that I have absolutely no control over… ZERO… Zilch! Be it family, friends, circumstances or whatever, my tendency has been to worry, as if worrying alone can somehow improve the situation.
If I haven’t said this yet, this is all a learning process for me and I’m doing my best to be a good student. Scripture says, “Who of you worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matthew 6:27. As a wannabe good student, via faith I have to recognize that the answer to worry has been given to me and you. I say this because life as we know it will always test your beliefs.
Rather than worry, we should rely on the truth as taught by Christ. That truth is these issues have already been dealt with through His sacrifice on the cross. As such, I should trust and not fret.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all things will be given you as well.” Matthew 6:33. This is particularly eye opening because of the next line. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Again as a student, I can relate to the problem and I’m trying very hard to grasp the solution. Now while this may seem elementary to you, life constantly gives all of us pause to become anxious about things, people, and events. God, however, through the profession of faith, reminds us that indeed we do have the answer.
Each time we are tested, He says remember me. So what I’ve done is to try and create my own recall system, if you will. It goes something like this. “Do not be anxious about anything, but by everything, prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6. When I think to remember this, I do it and let it go. I find when I do it enough times, it does become habit forming and this is a habit I can revel in.
You see I am one of those hands on kind of students. Don’t tell me. Show me. Let me try. By virtue of biblical demonstration, reinforced by repetition, I think I’m getting the hang of this don’t worry thing. Quit trying to figure my way out of things on my own. That is a recipe for failure and spiritually extremely dangerous.
Let God figure into all of my decision making and follow what is revealed to me. I have a friend who calls this “guided decision making.” You know what class? It works. Stop. Think. Pray. Hand it over and let it go.
