What are you worrying about these days?
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Luke 12:25-31
What are you worried about these days? Worry is a story we tell ourselves about something that has not yet happened in the future. It is the archway through which discouragement walks through and sets up camp between our two ears.
Satan has 4 ordinary activities he uses to gain ground in our life that we have discussed in previous messages: Deceive/Divide/Divert (our attention from God)/Discourage. Worry opens the door to discouragement and has its roots in the original sin: our desire to take control as we believe that God does not have our best interests in mind. Eve was deceived by this temptation: God is withholding from me SO I’ve got to take matters into my own hands and gain the ability to be like God.
Worry is a strange unhealthy counterfeit method used by Satan to make us think: If I worry about this then I’m giving it my attention which may lead to a solution that helps me feel like I’m in control of a circumstance that I feel out of control about. Counterfeit is taking something authentic (like God’s ability to take care of His children) and making it in-authentic (using our own abilities to take care of ourselves) with the intention to deceive. One is faith driven and the other is fear driven. When we worry, we compromise our ability to lead like Jesus. Jesus led free from worry, which resulted in words and teachings that transformed lives.
Worry is directly linked to attachment and doubt. As we form attachments to things, relationships and circumstances, we render ourselves vulnerable to worrying about losing those things. In the Emotional Intelligence in Christ book and 6-week study guide we discuss four specific attachments: popularity, possessions, power and position. As we form an attachment to these things, worry and doubt increase.
Satan wants us to think God is not in control and does not have plans to take care of us. This is a theme that is a rinse and repeat program Satan has been using since the garden that produces worry. He deceives us by using counterfeit control (making us think we are in control of our lives and our destiny) then he divides us through lies and distortion of truth which diverts our attention from seeking truth from the One Who is: the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).
Read Matthew 19:16-24: The Rich Young Ruler. Jesus desires to set us free from our attachments because He knows the truth of this statement: The more you own and are attached to…the more owns you and the more you worry and lose God’s peace within. He invites the rich young ruler to release his attachments to his possessions by selling them (giving them up). “Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
A movie was made from William Young’s famous book: The Shack. A scene from the movie beautifully depicts Jesus’ invitation to guide us out of worry which is often fueled by needing to know why things happened as they did or how things are going to turn out. Mac, the main character, rows out to the middle of a lake only to be confronted by the worry and fears in his mind which end up sinking the boat he is sitting in. Jesus approaches Mac, walking on water, calling his name as he says: Mac, you are imagining a future without me, and that future does not exist. Don’t think about the past or the pain: LOOK AT ME. Trust me, none of this can hurt you, keep your eyes on ME. This is Jesus’ solution: fix your eyes on me, I am the author and perfector of your faith (Hebrews 12:2), I am your way, your truth, your life (John 14:6), I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus knows how much worry robs us of God’s peace that He continually reminds us not to worry and to trust in God’s ability to provide: Matthew 6:28-33.
When we are attached to things, including our desire to figure things out, understand why things happen as they do along with worrying about the future, we are striving for control that belongs to God alone. Worry hijacks our faith and confidence that God has got our back (Jeremiah 29:11).
We let worry consume us and we don’t have to. Jesus offers another way. Let go of your need to know in order to feel safe. God is in control; He has your back and promises to never leave you (Joshua 1:9). Jesus’ BIG solution to worry: trust that God is in control that He is trustworthy, just and good.
“The One who calls you is FAITHFUL and He will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24
“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
TAKE ACTION:
Write down an attachment that the Holy Spirit has revealed to you that is linked to your worry. Cross it out and write: Holy Spirit grant me the grace to release this attachment and return to God’s peace: Jesus I trust in you…you take care of everything. Continue to repeat the prayer each time an intrusive thought pops in around the worry: JESUS I TRUST IN YOU…TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING.
Lauren E Miller, M.Ed, MSC, ICF-PCC
As a stress relief expert, award winning author, motivational speaker, HRD trainer, Edge God In podcast host, and certified executive and life coach, Lauren facilitates fun process driven programs with guidance, support and accountability creating positive sustainable behavioral change in business and personal life.
Lauren has worked in youth and adult ministries for over 30 years. Through God’s mercy, grace and strength, she uses her experience simultaneously conquering two of life’s top stressors: cancer and divorce to help others destress and successfully move through challenges.
Happily, remarried and gratefully enjoying life in Colorado with a loving husband, three grown children and two grandchildren, Lauren is often found in the kitchen dancing to her favorite worship music or rolling around on the floor with her two dogs.
Lauren holds a Masters in Adult Education with a Certification in Human Resources Development | Advanced Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Basic & Master Certification | Faculty Shift Leadership Training | Master Sherpa Executive Coach (MSC) and ICF Certification PCC | 2nd degree blackbelt World Tae Kwon Do
Lauren has produced 8 CD’s and five 3 minute/30 day Audio/Visual Personal Excellence/Wellness Programs. She has authored 9 books, 3 of which are Award Winning:
- Hearing His Whisper…with every storm Jesus comes too
- 99 Things You Want To Know Before Stressing Out!
- Stop Letting the World Be the Boss of You! 25 Solutions to Refresh Your Identity in Christ
Edge God In Podcast: http://EdgeGodIn.com
