Someone
asked me if I was worried about an issue and I said without thinking, "I
don't worry, I pray." That comment hit me between the eyes, and I realized
how true it has become in my life of over 40 years of learning to have faith in
God's faithfulness.
Worry is a
negative emotion and all negative emotions are red flags to show us areas in
our life where we need attention. We may have a burden to share with someone
who cares, a problem to solve or an idol to renounce.
Idols do not
come in different shapes and sizes anymore. They are pet peeves, unrealistic
goals, unwarranted demands, irritations and worries that do not belong in our
life.
They tear us
down by whittling away at our joy and serenity. They cause us to respond with
irritability and even anger. They spoil our mood and rob us of our witness for
Christ.
When we
sense a negative emotion in our soul, a searching moral inventory is a good
place to start. Ask yourself what is really bothering you and give yourself
time to really think about it and to answer truthfully.
When you
discover the root of the negative emotion ask yourself if you can do anything
about it. If so, do it; if not then ask someone for help or give it to God to
solve if it is something beyond human effort.
God can move
mountains in our life when we trust in His faithfulness. He may not answer our
prayers as we think He should, but He always works them out for our ultimate
good (Romans 8:28).
Prayer:
Father God,
we often overlook the power of prayer in our life. We worry first, connive
through human effort second, ask other people for help and eventually, when all
else fails, we remember to pray. Remind us to use prayer as our first defense
and offense against the issues we face in life.
When we
trust You completely and put You first in our life, You always direct our steps
and lead us to success (Proverbs 3:5-6). Help us not to allow worry to paralyze
us into inactivity and to limit or stop our efficiency and initiative as You
inspire us by Your Spirit.
Thought for the Day:
When we pray
without ceasing, the Lord keeps us from trouble and delivers us in our
distress; He calms our storms and smooths the rough seas; He quiets the waves
and brings us safely home to our port. - 1
Thessalonians 5:16-18;
Psalm 107:28-30; Matthew 8:23-27
