When You Need to Win Over Worry

[soso]

When You Need to Win Over Worry
BETSY DE CRUZ, COMPEL Member

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

When it comes /to worrying, I could win an Olympic prize. Not surprising, since I come from a long line of expert worriers.

My grandparents were champions. During my childhood, they showed up at every family gathering /two hours early /to avoid being late. Then by 2:30 in the afternoon, my Papa would start fretting about how they needed to get home before dark.

They’d leave at 3 p.m., so they could go check on their dog and make sure their house wasn’t on fire.

* check on, Also, check up on ; check over. Investigate, scrutinize, or inspect,

One of my favorite family memories comes from a car trip () I took with my grandparents /back in the days /when the top speed limit was 55 mph. Grandma was blowing /down the highway /at 50 when a traffic police appeared. Papa leaned over to warn her, “See that cop, Ma? You better slow down.” He was scared to death () they’d get a speeding ticket.

Thirty years later, it’s easy for me to laugh at my grandparent’s apprehensions, but maybe my worries look equally foolish to God. When I consider my fears in the light of my all-powerful, heavenly Father, they look small and unnecessary.

Jesus knew all about our inclination to worry /when He asked,

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27).

Maybe worrying is in my genes, but I nurture it every time I allow it to take root in my thoughts.

I’ve wasted time and energy /letting my mind get worked up over situations () my heavenly Father had under His control.

Scripture reminds me () I have a loving Father //who cares even for birds: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26, NIV). When I call to mind that God feeds even sparrows, I’m reassured. I remember () my heavenly Father sees me, loves me and cares for my needs.

What about you, friend? You might have some pressing uncertainties in your life. Trouble at work may be wearing you down. Concern for your kids can keep you up /at night. Bills might look big at the end of the month, and a simple visit to the doctor can turn your life upside down.

Let’s flex our faith muscles today.

Rather than waste time and energy /on worry, let’s use it to build our faith. Why replay fears in our minds /when we can choose

to remember God’s truth instead? What if we look to His Word /to find a specific Scripture verse //that addresses our concerns?

We can flip fear with the Word of God. Worrying won’t change our situation, but God’s Word can. When anxious thoughts come, let’s call to mind God’s promises and meditate on His faithfulness.

Let’s turn our worries into prayers /as we proclaim God’s powerful Word over ourselves and the people () we love.

After all, our heavenly Father calls each star by name, and He sees each sparrow when it falls.

We can trust Him to take care of us.

* look to someone; to hope or expect to get help, advice etc from someone

Lord, I know You love and care for me and the people in my life. Help me learn to trust You. Give me grace to believe that You will work for good in every situation. Help me to lay worry aside and flex my faith muscles instead. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.