As a believer, we are set apart as holy brethren (Hebrews 3:1)
and we will experience ALL of the exact emotions as any other human EXCEPT we
have a great hope. We have so much authority and do not have to be crippled with fear. We do not have to sit with our worry.
When I “feel” worry I do not have to react to it. I can choose
to stay in the presence of the Lord and fight with him by my side. The other
day I was really just in my worry pants. I was thinking about the strenuous
relationship I have with my older son. How I am not happy in my job sometimes.
I started to think about the safety of our younger son. The salvation of my
kids. I started to think about my husband and how maybe he just does not love me. I mean I
was so anxious. I put my worry pants on so tight they were sucking life right out
of me that morning. Not to mention I was walking around with them and those
pants did not even look cute (metaphorically speaking). No one told me that my
pants of worry had me looking like a bag of mess. Not until I started reading
about worry in the Bible was when I could see that I put on the wrong attire
that morning. Instead of putting on the armor of God I put on my anxious floral
blouse, my pants of worry and shoes of fear and tried to strut my stuff like I
was something. But I was nothing...
Matthew 6:25 speaks to worry. It tells us not to worry about
life because our Father in heaven takes care of our worries. Verse 27 asks us “can
worry make you live longer”. If we think about it all worry does is make us rock
back and forth in anxious thoughts telling us that we will get somewhere if we
keep thinking on thoughts that cripple us. It is a bold face lie and it pushes
us farther away from our Father. God is of peace NOT worry. When we refuse to
be in peace we are asking for trouble. Sure, life is hard. Life just down right
is not pretty at times. It can feel as if it has spit us out from the belly of
a whale with no water to drink with absolutely no help. I think when we start
to think like that we are in trouble. Life was given to us at a heavy price
tag. Jesus came so that we can have and enjoy life (John 10:10). If we sit down in the dumps stuck in worry we
will think and behave according to that worry. Why not choose a different path
when feelings of anxiety try to come about?
Today, I encourage you to do something different when worry
tries to consume you. Look yourself in the mirror and say out loud “Lord, I am
yours and I will stand on your hope. I will not worry. I will be bold and
courageous”. Many have said it, but truly when worry comes send Jesus to
answer. Why worry about something you have no control over?
In Christ,
Monique Smith
Prayer Starter:
Thank you Jesus for my salvation. Thank you for saving me. Thank
you for loving me even when I cannot stand to love myself some days. I declare your
peace over my life. Holy Spirit, come fill me. You are welcome to move in my
heart. I declare renewed thoughts and a sound mind. I am yours so I will put on
my armor of faith and not move from your presence at all costs. You love me and
you are for me so I will focus on your truth. Amen 