Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. —Matthew 6:33 The Msg
I like being independent.
I like thinking I can handle whatever comes my way. I like the idea that I am self-sufficient.
But I’m regularly reminded that this is not absolute. There are many things in life that are out of my control.
And the truth is that when I think I have to do it all by myself, it ends up in worry. And if there is one thing we share every person who has ever lived, it is our ability to worry.
I may not call it worry—I might call it “overthinking” or “fixating” on something. Whatever I call it, I can “overthink” the most trivial of things.
And while worry is common to everyone, we all know that it is not helpful. In fact, for many of us it can be debilitating.
In one of Jesus’ most familiar teachings, he tells his followers not to worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have enough to worry about on its own.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” —Matthew 6:34
Worrying about tomorrow robs us of our ability to focus today. But more than just focus, it robs us of joy.
So then, the question is: how do we deal with worry? The psalmist reminds us where our help comes from:
“Where does my help come from? My help comes from the One who made heaven and earth.” —Psalm 121:2
Listen to that again: “…the One who made heaven and earth.”
Is anything impossible with God? Nothing is too big, or too small. If He can scatter trillions of stars within the millions of galaxies across the velvety blackness of the cosmos, what can’t he do in your life?
He knows the end from the beginning. He knows the outcome of every possible decision you will make. And, in light of all this, he says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest.”
If you haven’t done it today, take a moment to bring your concerns, your worries, your frustrations—whatever is on your mind—to him. He is a Good Father. And He loves to hear from, and give wisdom to, his children.
Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, and Master of Divinity from Corban University in Salem, Oregon—and he loves a good biryani.
Graphic courtesy of Youversion Bible
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