I'm Worried by John Avant

Who is not worried these days? I mean really. Planes are falling out of the sky. Prices are rising up to the sky! Israel and Iran are at war. Is World War III upon us?

Then I have my own personal worries. We’re getting older. Are these health issues going to get worse? Can we pay for the ministry we’ve already committed to do? And is there any way to correct this vicious hook off my driver or should I just give up golf altogether and avoid the frustrations?

Isn’t worry a strange thing? I can worry about the biggest concerns of the world or the smallest little insignificant things like my golf game. But it all affects me in negative ways. I become anxious, isolated, and short with those I love.  

Is there any way out?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭

If I’m being honest, the reason this passage doesn’t always seem to “work” is because I usually don’t do what it actually says!

Notice that it doesn’t say to only pray when you’re anxious. It tells you to pray with Thanksgiving! And that means I have to truly believe that God is at work for my good even when there are so many things to be worried about.   God is loving me while I’m worrying! And even loving me through what I’m worried about!

Tim Keller says it this way:

“It takes pride to be anxious, and I recognize I am not wise enough to know how my life should go.”

Pride causes me to think that I know better than God! Humility is trusting that God is sovereignly loving me and everyone that I love! I can choose to trust Him. 

I’m not saying this is easy, but it is clear.

Prayerful Thanksgiving is the key to overcoming worry. 

So right now, just think of everything you’re worried about and then declare,  “Lord these things seem like problems to me, but I thank You that You know so much more than I do about what is good in my life and in the world. Thank you, Lord, that while I’m worrying you are working. And thank You that I truly don’t have to worry today. I choose to thank You instead.”

I’m worried. 

Maybe you are, too. 

But we don’t have to be. If we choose, we can be thankful and walk in peace today.