I Don't Worry; I Pray

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

Passing the Examination

Read: Hebrews 4: 12-13

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith;" - 2 Corinthians 13:5a

Having to take an exam often strikes terror in our heart. The idea of failing and looking foolish, or of disappointing the people we want to impress, causes us a great deal of trepidation. However, a test is really a very positive tool. It points out the areas in our life where we are already excelling, at the same time that it illuminates areas where we need to improve.

Examining our thoughts, motives, plans, goals and activities increases our productivity and cuts out waste and excesses that hinder our efficiency in life. Most programs created to help people to overcome addictions encourage their participants to examine their life and to evaluate their core issues and beliefs. God encourages us to do this same thing in Corinthians.

The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of every man. It searches out our innermost thoughts and the reality of who we really are (Proverbs 20:27). This inventory gives us a true picture of our liabilities and our assets. Once we know them, we can then ask the Spirit of God to replace our faults with His fruit and to use our strengths for His Kingdom.

Sometimes, people decide that there are portions of their soul that are better off ignored. We have a past that we are not proud of, or that is full of abuse and misunderstanding. We do not want to face all of those issues again. We think that they are behind us, but we do not realize that they filter up from our subconscious mind and affect every decision we ever make, every attitude we ever adopt and every emotion we ever feel.

However, if we face even our darkest fears, attitudes and desires, we give God the opportunity to fill our empty soul with His character. Our lives are richer, fuller and more dynamic; and we can actually make a true difference in our world.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, today I want to open my heart while Your Spirit searches my innermost being. Wash me clean as I read Your Word and forgive me of my transgressions. Guide me with Your Spirit each and every new day and use me for your Kingdom.

Thought for the Day:

Clarity in our soul brings fullness to our spirit.