"When I am consumed by my problems – stressed out about my life, my family, and my job – I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important that God's command to always rejoice. In other words, that I have a "right" to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities.
Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.
Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control."
– Crazy Love, by Francis Chan
Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.
Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control."
– Crazy Love, by Francis Chan
When I read this passage from this book, Crazy Love, I just had to sit back and think. I read it yesterday, in the middle of a time when all I'm doing is worrying and stressing – about money, work, the unknowns of my upcoming trip, relationships… How am I so arrogant that I think my problems are so much bigger than God? Do I really think that He doesn't have it under control?
Who do I think I am?!
We're talking about our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The One who literally created EVERYTHING around us on this earth, including us! And I'm worried about such trivial things? God already knows how it's going to turn out in the end. He knows everything from how much money I'll be making this week all the way to who I'll end up spending the rest of my life with. Who am I to question Him or doubt His knowledge and power? He is so much bigger than my miniscule problems that I spend so much time stressing over and crying about. So I have no idea what my future holds… I'm completely terrified to go away for 11 months to places that I've never been with people that I've never met. And after that, who knows what I'll be doing? I have no plans at all. But why am I sitting here worrying when I could be enjoying the life God has for me right now?! In Matthew 6:34 it says (this is from the Message because I love how it's worded):
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
And that's the beautiful thing about it! Aren't my problems completely irrelevant in comparison to the magnitude and power and plans that my Heavenly Father has for me? Yes. They really are. So I should get over it and get over myself and move on. And while God agrees that I should definitely get over myself and move on, He also reminds me how much He doesn't want me to worry, because He loves me and I don't need to spend my time worrying. He's got it 🙂 He would rather me spend my time getting to know Him and drawing closer to Him. Isn't that the point of our existence here on earth? We were not created to freak out about the things we don't even have the power to control – we were created to love and be loved by Him.
So get over yourself! Seriously, take a step back and realize how much God loves you! Quit wasting your time worrying about what's going to happen next, or if you're going to get hurt, or if you're going to be able to pay rent. If we're focusing on Jesus and allowing Him into every area of our lives, He will move. Even if everything doesn't turn out the way you'd like it to and things are still hard, focusing on God will allow you to point to Him and glorify Him even in the hard times – you will be able to show the world that you love and are loved by a God who is great and who gives you peace and joy, even in the hard times.
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
And that's the beautiful thing about it! Aren't my problems completely irrelevant in comparison to the magnitude and power and plans that my Heavenly Father has for me? Yes. They really are. So I should get over it and get over myself and move on. And while God agrees that I should definitely get over myself and move on, He also reminds me how much He doesn't want me to worry, because He loves me and I don't need to spend my time worrying. He's got it 🙂 He would rather me spend my time getting to know Him and drawing closer to Him. Isn't that the point of our existence here on earth? We were not created to freak out about the things we don't even have the power to control – we were created to love and be loved by Him.
So get over yourself! Seriously, take a step back and realize how much God loves you! Quit wasting your time worrying about what's going to happen next, or if you're going to get hurt, or if you're going to be able to pay rent. If we're focusing on Jesus and allowing Him into every area of our lives, He will move. Even if everything doesn't turn out the way you'd like it to and things are still hard, focusing on God will allow you to point to Him and glorify Him even in the hard times – you will be able to show the world that you love and are loved by a God who is great and who gives you peace and joy, even in the hard times.
"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life." (Philippians 4:6-7, MSG)
