One thing I always have to remind myself of is to stop worrying about the future. I find myself thinking about what I'm going to do once we get home, what kind of job I'll have, if I'll keep going on mission trips, and where I'm going to be living. But stressing and worrying about the future does us no good.
Luke 12:25-26 says “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
Whenever I start to feel myself worrying, I go back to this verse. What does worrying do for us? Even the greatest plan we can think of in our head, is nothing compared to the life God already has planned out for us. It also says in chapter 12 of Luke, that the birds do not sow or store up food yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable are we than the birds?
Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. He wants to come to the rescue when we think there's no other way. One of the best things we can do for ourselves is acknowledge our lack of control and reach out for God's help.
Philippians 4:6 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
When we start to feel anxious, immediately take it to God. Tell Him exactly what you're feeling and why. Once we give Him those nervous feelings, we can start to glorify Him in knowing that our sense of peace is from God.
Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
If we're constantly worrying about tomorrow and the future, we never really see the full potential of today. If we're too busy trying to think of the best plan for ourselves, we never fully let God take control of our lives. And when God is fully in control, and you fully accept it, you will find yourself not needing to worry about a thing.
*** I used this as a lesson one morning during our worship and Bible study time with the ladies that work at our ministry site. Most of them haven't been Christians for very long and love hearing new verses and testimonies. Everyone on my team has taken turns sharing and teaching each morning and have all gotten great responses from the ladies!
We only have a couple more days left in Cambodia, but they are going to be very busy! We still have 3 more classes to teach, plan an ice cream party for the ladies, and plan our own goodbye party with our students! Please pray for our team and squad as we wrap things up in Cambodia and head to AFRICA on Saturday!
