Give Up Worrying

Not worrying is easier said than done.

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I know that I can leave it all to God and that He is ultimately in control

of everything going on in my life, but I still want to control it. I still

want to feel that I have some power over any situation that I am in. But

then, I just get stressed. I worry. I fear over all that is going on and

all that could happen. This is a daily struggle. A moment-by-moment

struggle. I need to constantly remind myself to give everything to God.

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In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus tells us to come to Him when we are weary, and

He will give us rEsther Similarly, Philippians 4:6-7 says, even when we are

anxious, we can pray to Him about everything and rest in His peace, no

matter how we are feeling. Because Jesus is Lord of all, and His Holy

Spirit lives inside Christians, we can be still, even when the things

around us are troubling.

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Worrying does us no good. I know this, yet I find myself getting anxious

all the time. And every time I find myself getting anxious, I try to remind

myself that I can go to God to find rEsther

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No matter how long we are anxious, the good news is that God never gives

up on us. Jesus knows firsthand what it’s like to be a human living in this

stressful, broken world. He empathizes with our struggles, and He doesn’t

scold us for worrying. Instead, He invites us to bring all our worries to

Him, being totally honest about our thoughts and feelings. In His

unshakable love, He has promised to be our rest and to be with us no matter

what, and through His Word, His Holy Spirit, and His people (the church) He

reminds us that He is with usand that He gives us rest through His death

and resurrection. Moment by moment, He is walking with us through

everything we face, and one day He will put an end to all worry for good.

Bethany Acker

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Sometimes, we experience worry that is too much for us to handle on our

own, even by praying and reading the Bible. But God wants to help us with

worry in lots of ways, including through other people such as medical and

mental health professionals who can help us figure out if what we are

experiencing is worry, clinical anxiety, or something else. It’s important

to remember that we all need help from others, and it’s okay to be honest

about our struggles. If you find yourself feeling afraid, stressed, or

worried a lot of the time, or if your thoughts keep going to what if

scenarios and you can’t seem to stop, who is a trusted adult you could talk

to, such as a parent, pastor, teacher, or counselor? If you need someone to

talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone

consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family

Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357)

weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment.

In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00

a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate.

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When you feel worried or anxious, do you feel like you can talk to Jesus

about what you’re experiencing? Why or why not?

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Read Mark 14:32-34 and Hebrews 4:14-16. How might knowing that Jesus

empathizes with all our struggles make it easier for us to be honest with

Him?

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Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will

strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous

right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Matthew 11:28-Matthew 11:30; Isaiah 41:10