Friday, June 8, 2012

Unnecessary Worry

Yesterday I told a friend to make sure she read the Jesus Calling devotion for the day, and she sent me a message last night saying she has temporarily misplaced her book.  I was typing it out for her this morning when I decided to just share it here.

June 7

"I AM ALL AROUND YOU, like a cocoon of Light. My Presence with you is a promise, independent of your awareness of Me.  Many things can block this awareness, but the major culprit is worry.  My children tend to accept worry as an inescapable fact of life.  However, worry is a form of unbelief; it is anathema to Me.

Who is in charge of your life?  If it is you, then you have good reason to worry.  But if it is I, then worry is both unnecessary and counterproductive.  When you start to feel anxious about something, relinquish the situation to Me.  Back off a bit, redirecting your focus on Me.  I will either take care of the problem Myself or show you how to handle it.  In this world you will have problems, but you need not lose sight of Me." (Luke 12:22-31, John 16:33)

I am so often guilty of worrying.  I can, and have, worried over just about anything you can think of.  Everything from the health of my children, to whether or not someone is going to make it to the store to buy toilet paper before we run out.  I have a tendency to worry so much, it could be considered a hobby of mine.

Sure, I carry it to Jesus and lay it at His feet.  But just about the time I start to walk away, I pick it back up again and take it with me.  I'll take it back and leave it for a few hours or days, but then go back to pick it back up again.  It's not until I become exhausted from worry that I leave it at the Throne of Grace once and for all.  It's only then I find peace.

I am grateful I serve a sovereign God.  A God who is in control and has a perfect plan for us.  What a relief it is to know I am not in charge!  I cringe at the thought of the mess I would make of my life.  I don't always understand the path He leads me down, but I can rest in His promise to never leave me and never forsake me.  I can rest in knowing it's all for my good and His Glory.

I can rest.

Worry is most definitely a besetting sin of mine.  A sin I have to confess and ask forgiveness for often.  I waste a lot of time and energy worrying, when all I have to do is trust Him.

This morning my head is full of worries, and I'm sure those will be added to moment by moment.  So, I am going to print this devotion off and keep it handy.  Everytime I am tempted to worry, I am going to pull it out and read it.  The date on this devotion may have been for yesterday, but it applies to every single day of my life.

I love my Jesus Calling devotional.  I am currently reading it through for the second time.  It so simply and vividly reminds me of God's character, His promises, His truth ... all things I tend to forget easily.

1 comment:

  1. I'm also a chronic worrier, and I am realizing day by day how sinful it is... It IS a form of unbelief. Lately I've been asking God to help me live in Today (not worrying about tomorrow, for tomorrow can worry about itself). Thanks for sharing these words of encouragement, Robin.

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