Worry and Peace
Are you exhausted by constantly trying to remain in control? If you're like me, when you think you're in control, you feel safe. It is human nature to want to be in control of every single aspect of my life, but really, shouldn't I know better by now? I create so much added stress on myself and add so much worry to my life when I seek to fully control my day to day living. When I try to control all the things of my family life, work and obligations, I am only creating overwhelming anxiety and reminded myself how much of a failure I am. Do I really want or need to carry that burden?
God does not want us to be consumed with worry or to bear the weight of useless burdens. In fact, He commands us NOT to worry. Matthew 6:25-34 says: "Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown in the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you little of faith? Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
When we worry about being in control, we are being disobedient to God. That disobedience keeps us from fully focusing on Him, so we tend to rely on our own wisdom and power, and in return we are sure to fail! We distrust God when we are fearful of losing control. When we try to take control away from God, we are telling him that he is not good enough or big enough! We become our own god and leave no room for God to be God! When we let God have complete control over our lives, He gives us the guidance and wisdom we truly need. All of our struggles, failures, heartaches and problems strengthen our faith. Does that mean we will not experience fear in our lack of control? Of course not, but when we rely on him, glorify Him and acknowledge Him in all our ways, we ultimately gain a deeper Trust in God. He will never lead us down the wrong path. He knows our past and holds out future in the palm of His hands.
This week, I ask that you join me in prayer and ask God to search your heart and reveal to you ALL the ways you have tried to be your own god. Write them down, read them again at the end of the week, then surrender them back to God. These things are not your burdens to bear.
God Bless,
Tara Barnes
Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts ad your minds in Christ Jesus."
God does not want us to be consumed with worry or to bear the weight of useless burdens. In fact, He commands us NOT to worry. Matthew 6:25-34 says: "Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown in the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you little of faith? Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
When we worry about being in control, we are being disobedient to God. That disobedience keeps us from fully focusing on Him, so we tend to rely on our own wisdom and power, and in return we are sure to fail! We distrust God when we are fearful of losing control. When we try to take control away from God, we are telling him that he is not good enough or big enough! We become our own god and leave no room for God to be God! When we let God have complete control over our lives, He gives us the guidance and wisdom we truly need. All of our struggles, failures, heartaches and problems strengthen our faith. Does that mean we will not experience fear in our lack of control? Of course not, but when we rely on him, glorify Him and acknowledge Him in all our ways, we ultimately gain a deeper Trust in God. He will never lead us down the wrong path. He knows our past and holds out future in the palm of His hands.
This week, I ask that you join me in prayer and ask God to search your heart and reveal to you ALL the ways you have tried to be your own god. Write them down, read them again at the end of the week, then surrender them back to God. These things are not your burdens to bear.
God Bless,
Tara Barnes
Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts ad your minds in Christ Jesus."