Philippians 4:6
Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
As I lay in bed at night, sleep eludes me. I think of my oldest who currently works full time, goes to college full time, and raises his little girl. Then, my next oldest takes a turn in my brain as I worry about his last few weeks of college. Will he do all he needs to do and still be able to keep his anxiety levels manageable?
And what about a job once he graduates? Will we have to keep paying his rent if he doesn’t. And speaking of his rent, how can we afford to pay his rent when live on such a tight budget ourselves?
And then my teenage daughter’s sweet face pops into my brain. She’s just begun driving. And dating. She got a job. And… A list of all I worry about for her would be much too long to post!
I’ll bet you have plenty of worries, too.
Careers, children, spouses, parents, finances…the list goes on and on. And while it’s easy to say oh, don’t worry, the reality is we will. I’ve come to determine that worry will be a part of my days as long as I have people I love (and hopefully that will be a long, long time).
What’s important, though, is that we not dwell in our worry. We need not stay there in those helpless thoughts and moments. Instead, be intentional in thought and turn the worries into prayers. When each worry becomes a prayer, there’s a shift that takes place. The feeling of helplessness turns to hopefulness as we surrender to the Lord.
Worry turns our focus away from God. While we may not understand His plan, He is in ultimate control, and He knows what is best for us. God wants what is best for us. Focus instead on Him. Embrace each troublesome moment with the knowledge that you are not alone. Allow Him to work through you to help you move forward into a sense of peace. Trust God. He knows the bigger picture. Let Him guide and teach you. Know His comfort.
Today’s Prayer
Lord, I don’t always understand what you have in store for me. When trouble fills my world, it’s hard to trust and to see beyond the present. Help me, Lord, to allow you to fill me so that there is no room for worry. Guide me and comfort me. In your name I pray. Amen
What worries keep you from focusing on God? Comment below so that we can pray for each other.
Barbara says
, I am in the middle of a worry that haunts me morning to night so much that it never leaves my mind. The worry of finance and trying to keep every member of my family happy, keeping our girls in a small private school & one going to college next year. Meanwhile my savings is a zero balance, trying to get out of debt and my husband doesn’t know how bad it is. Your post is helpful and something I need to repeat a lot — helplessness turns into hopefulness as I surrender to the Lord. Turn my worries into prayer.
Julie Pfeifer says
Oh Barbara, that is so much to take on all at once. I will be praying for you! ~Julie
Lisa says
Enjoyed reading some of your devotionals on here. That’s my niche too! I left my email address on your post to get guidelines to guest post. God bless!
Julie Pfeifer says
Hi Lisa, thanks! I look forward to hearing your guest post ideas. Thanks for stopping by, and I can’t wait to read your devotionals as well. So thankful for God’s word! Love in Him, Julie