The cares exist, but you do not have to carry them or handle them on your own. You have a God who has instructed you to throw your anxieties on Him because He can handle the weight of them.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)
Jesus spoke the above words. Why do I lead this article with these verses? Because to be victorious in this world, these are foundational truths each believer in Christ must embrace. There will be trouble, but we can have peace. The enemy wants to destroy us, but we can have life to the fullest.
The enemy is the thief, and it is his mission to destroy the believer. He knows that he cannot take us out of the Father’s hand once we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, according to John 10:28, but his agenda is to steal, kill and destroy any other area of our lives.
He has many tools that he uses to complete his mission, and one of his tools is worry! The great news is that in every way the enemy tries to destroy us, God already has a plan to counteract and destroy his attacks.
Do you recall the song that was a great hit in 1989, "Don't Worry Be Happy"? It is believed that an Indian mystic, Meher Baba, would frequently use this expression. Well, the singer/songwriter Robert (Bobby) Keith McFerrin noticed a poster with the phrase on it in 1988 and found it inspiring. Out of that inspiration, McFerrin wrote “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” which was included in the soundtrack of the movie Cocktail.
McFerrin repeats the phrase “Don’t worry, be happy” 25 times in the song. In a light tone, he speaks of homelessness, financial struggles, and relationship problems. The remedy in the lyrics is just don’t worry, but be happy. The theme of worry is mentioned 8,849 times in the Bible! This emphasizes how important it is to God.
I am not suggesting that planning for the future is an act of worry. It is wise to plan and have strategies in life. Such planning can help avoid some struggles. For example, having a budget for your finances. This is an act of responsibility. To ensure we do not enter the space of worry, we must seek God in our planning. Seek His will and direction. This usually leads us to a place of peacefulness instead of worrying as we trust God in the plans.
If I could reword the popular phrase “Don’t worry, be happy,” I would like to put a twist on it and offer to you, “Don’t Worry; Trust God!” It is only because of trust and confidence in God that we cancel the need to worry.
1. You Are Released from Worry
Remember, we have been told that in this world we will have trouble. God in His infinite wisdom and care has given us instructions and reminders about His care for us.
1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
The cares exist, but you do not have to carry them or handle them on your own. You have a God who has instructed you to throw your anxieties on Him because He can handle the weight of them.
Psalm 94:19 “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
The same God who provided comfort and joy to the psalmist when worry was great in him is able and willing to do the same for you today.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
We have the promise of God’s peace within us that will relieve our hearts of worry and fear.
2. You Are a Priority to God
Matthew 6:26 reminds us that God views us as His priority: “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?” (NIV)
Worrying about how the needs in our lives are met can be interpreted as offensive. As good parents and guardians, there is nothing more important to us than making certain that the needs of our children are met. If the needs of our children are a priority to us, why offend our Heavenly Father by acting as if He cares less about us? Worrying is also a sign that we are putting more energy into doubting God than believing Him. Since God has instructed us repeatedly not to worry, He is more than capable of enabling us to complete the instruction. God has a track record of providing for us. Do not doubt Him by worrying.
Romans 8:32 puts it like this “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (KJV). Since God has already sacrificed His only Son for us, why wouldn’t He give us what we need now? God did not hold back His only Son so it does not make sense that he would hold back food, clothing, shelter, or whatever we need now.
3. Worrying Does No Good
Worry has never made any situation better. Worrying often blocks the mind from making sound, reasonable decisions. It is more inclined to make the trouble feel more intense.
Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:27 "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" (NIV)
This leads me to my last reason to support the phrase “Don’t worry, trust God!”
4. Worry Comes at Too Great a Cost
I would be remiss not to mention a few consequences of worrying. Every action has a reaction. In a WebMD article entitled, “How Worry Affects Your Body” the physical consequences of worrying include:
-stress hormones that can raise your heart rate and blood sugar
-tension headaches or migraines
-increased risk of heart attack or stroke
-negative impact on your immune system
When trouble comes, and it will, I hope you remember this article and are encouraged to “Don’t worry, trust God.”
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Frank McKenna
Sandra Cobb is a grateful mother of three amazing children and grandmother of nine precious grandbabies. She is a certified Forgiveness Coach, speaker, and author of "Free to Forgive." She is passionate about sharing the love of God and testimonies of how faithful He is!
