Alright, fam, let me be so transparent with you: Satan has been trying to put the fear of God’s work in me. See what I did there?
But, this isn’t really a laughing matter. Worries have begun to pile up. What if I can’t raise enough support? What if I catch an awful disease while on the race? What if a tsunami hits Indonesia while I’m there? What if, what if, what if….??? The worries are coming in trickles – but here’s what I know from prior experience: If I let them continue to run, that trickle will eventually explode into a raging river. We’re talking level 100 rapids!
Worrying is not a new state of mind for me. Being a critical and analytical type, I’m very quick to point out to myself how things can go or are going wrong! But, Jesus has some pretty strong words about that in Matthew 6. To paraphrase, “What are you worrying for? It’s not like you can change any of the things you’re worrying about! Besides, why worry about what COULD happen when every single day comes with new distractions of its own? It’s not like worrying makes you live longer!”
“Ok”, I think – and I bet you have too – “but how am I supposed to just stop worrying?? I can’t help it!” haha, psych! Jesus continues,”Instead of worrying – seeking after your own answers – seek God’s kingdom first and being righteous in Him! If you do that, everything you need will follow”
Ok … but how?!?! Seriously, I’m asking how! Let’s go on this journey of thought together.
2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
If knowledge from God says not to worry, then worrying is going up against that. SO, I’ve got to take hold of those slippery thoughts in the power of the Spirit and make them submissive to the truth of Christ! But how??
1 Timothy 4:7-8 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Such abilities only come through training. Some of these worries may seem insurmountable – but I need to commit myself to the practice of taking them captive! But, what do I do with these worries once they’re captive? A wise teacher of mine has said that if we don’t replace a negative thing with a positive thing it just leaves an empty hole that will be easily filled with more negative things. SO!
Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Whew! The peace of God! YES! That is my end goal!! Worry must be replaced with peace. Peace that – what? – God has already supplied all my needs! And we’ve come full circle to Matthew 6.
I really needed to work through that and I’m going to strive and train to put this into practice. If you found it helpful I hope you will too!
Be on the lookout – I have t-shirts and live streams planned once I’m back from Peru!
