Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Worry - Two choices

How many of you have struggled with worry? Worried about the money in the checkbook?  Worried about your child who is not living up to what you know they can?  Worried about your health? About what people think or saying about you?  Worried about your job? A relationship? The economy? The government shutdown?  The list goes on and on.  The world is a place where worry can fully abound and every situation in your life you could begin to let fear creep in.  Worry is what the enemy uses to keep us from moving forward.  Instead he keeps us spinning round and round. Wondering what could happen or doubting and fearing what will happen next.   Worry is like riding a merry-go-round.  It starts out slow, but as you push it and feed into it, it goes faster and faster and then its spinning out of control.  It starts out being mild and something you can manage, but then can quickly become all consuming. As it goes round and round, you begin to get so sick that you want to get off but you cant.  You try to jump off, but now you're so dizzy and can't get your balance enough to even stand up. So you stay spinning until it finally comes to a stop and you are left in a crumpled mess, exhausted and fearful for what happens next. Sound familiar?  So how do we make it stop?  How do we choose not to ride this ride anymore? Look to God's word!  We have to trust Him that He is in control, no matter what the circumstances look like.  You have two choices:   Wonder OR Remind Yourself  You can wonder if you will have enough money to pay that bill or you can remind yourself that God's word says "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19 You can wonder if God will restore that relationship or remind yourself that God's word says He can restore things because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. (Romans 4:17 NLT)  You can wonder what people think about you or you can remind yourself what God thinks about you.  God says "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
I'm choosing to stop this merry-go-round of fear and anxiety and keep my feet and faith firmly planted in Him and in His word. How about you?