Worry

Worry.
Who doesn't worry every now and then? Right?

God has really been showing me that He is sick of my worry. What is all of my worrying accomplishing? How is it increasing my witness for Christ?

Simple answer-- It isn't.

I really knew that God was trying to get my attention when I came across Philippians 4 today.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:4-7

Sometimes I feel like the trials and pressures in life make it impossible to be happy, but Paul didn't tell us to be happy. He encouraged us to rejoice in the Lord. Its importance is evidenced when Paul chose to use it twice in verse 4. Paul was an excellent example of one who had inner joy even when external circumstances such as persecution, imprisonment, and the threat of death were against him.

When Paul says, "be anxious for nothing, " he is not implying a call to live a carefree life. To care and be genuinely concerned is one thing. To worry is another.

Then I flipped over to Matthew 6:25-33 (sidenote: study bibles are awesome) and read where Jesus warns against worry because it obviously eliminates trust in God.

Sometimes I have to be reminded that God is my ultimate provider and He wants to guide me through life's trials.

I have a feeling that my "worry problem" will go away, if I'm willling to surrender control to Him daily.

That is my prayer today.