Worrying – WE ALL DO IT. Doesn’t that feel good to admit? It’s ingrained in each of us. Yes of course, we all wish that we could be Bob Marley on a beach in the Jamaican sand singing “Don’t worry about a thing, cause every little thing gonna be alright” with the sun shining down. Unfortunately, we are human and to worry is a part of who we are. We worry about anything from our professional life, to our physical bodies, our love lifes, our financial state, our families, getting old, and even our television shows overlapping (GOD FORBID!). It can be utterly exhausting.
“The average person will spend 6.5 years of their life worrying”
– The Daily Mail
Have you ever looked up worry in the dictionary and read some of the synonyms? If not, here’s what I found. Worry: syn. – agonize, to lose sleep, fret, be anxious, concern, be troubled. Not exactly the most uplifting words I have read! I come by worrying honestly because I was born from a long line of them. I fret about everything from something so small like what I am eating to huge, ginormous life questions like what am I doing here? How will I be remembered? Needless to say, it is overwhelming to be in my mind sometimes. I must have believed that if I worried about things enough, it would solve the issues or problems in my life. Of course this did not happen and other issues stacked on top of those issues. What constant worrying did give me was mental, emotional and physical ailments such as lack of sleep, anxiety, inability to cope in stressful situations, and poor eating habits ect. One thing worrying has NEVER given me is a peace of mind. Not once.
So why do we, as devoted followers of God, jump into the never ending cycle of worrying? Because it’s human nature. We can’t help ourselves. When we can’t see and don’t understand, we worry. What does this say about our faith? It says that we don’t fully trust in Him or his plan for us. It says that we have doubts in who God is and what his almighty power can do. This whole race process has brought on a whole new set of worries. From fundraising, to paying off debts, to figuring out work/race life balance, there is so much to be concerned about. Over the past week or so, I have found myself drowning in worry. It was getting to the point where I was having trouble hearing God or seeing him at work in my daily life. I caught myself skipping my evening devotion because I was so exhausted or replacing prayer time with making to do list after to do list. I found myself feeling farther away from Him than I have in a long time.
Isn’t this exactly what Satan wants? One of the biggest ways that Satan tries to create a wedge between God and his children is by worry. He wants us to question God’s plan and his goodness. He wants us to doubt and be discouraged. Satan pushes us to focus on our problems and worries because in turn we can’t focus 100% on God. As followers of Christ, we have to always put on the armor and be on guard of Satan trying to weasel his way in because he will try again and again until he breaks through. Instead we need to throw all our worries and energy into the power of prayer. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul writes “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul’s advice here is to turn that worry into prayer. Pray for peace and tranquility. Pray for those specific worries and that God open doors to relieve the stress. Pray that your armor be strengthened against Satan’s attacks on your heart and mind. Pray for your neighbors and fellow Christians who are struggling with worry and doubt.
I am going to ask 2 things of you all this week in regards to prayer and worry:
1. I challenge each of you to worry less and pray more. When you catch yourself beginning to worry, STOP and PRAY for comfort and peace. Lift up those worries and doubts and see what God does to your heart and mind. I am going to try this challenge myself!
2. I am asking for prayer for my squad. In such a short time, we have become an amazing family and fortress against evil. Satan is seeing this army being built and is pushing back against us through health issues, loss, worry, and fears. Please pray that, with God’s help, we will rise up against this evil that is trying to bring us down. Pray that our bodies, minds, and hearts will be healed and prepared to go out into the world to spread God’s love in September. We pray for each other constantly but the more prayer we have in our corner, the better.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME AND MY SQUAD THROUGH THIS AMAZING JOURNEY!
