Photo courtesy Morten Gade via Flickr
Over the last several weeks, we have used our Mondays to talk about how faith and feelings interact.
We have discussed anger, frustration, joy, and weariness. Today is the final major feeling and it’s a doozy.
Worry.
YUCK. I say yuck because out of all the emotions that threaten to drive my faith, worry is the biggest thorn in my side. Yes, God had done some INCREDIBLE work the last couple of years, like when He called me to give up worrying for lent in 2012 or when I co-led a Bible study called “Calm my Anxious Heart.”
I am in a much better place. But I still struggle.
Worry is a pretty difficult feeling to wrangle because it is really one of the only ones that Jesus DID NOT experience.
Why didn’t Jesus worry? Because worry is a sin. And Jesus never sinned.
Although worry didn’t make the cut for the top ten commandments of what not to do, Jesus plainly points out that worrying is a feeling that directly gets in our way when it comes to relationship with God. Which equals sin.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life... Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” ~Matthew 6:25; 27
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~Matthew 6:28-34
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:6-7
I could go on. I really could. There are a ton of scripture references of why we shouldn’t worry. Here’s another way to put it:
Worry = Not trusting God = not as close to Him as we need to be= Feelings driving our faith, not faith driving our feelings
It’s a messy process. But not impossible to hash out.
If you are like me and struggle with worry, there are a lot of different solutions.
First, take the words of Philippians 4 to heart: Pray about EVERYTHING. Seriously. Memorize those verses, write it on your heart. Then when you start to feel the choking feeling of anxiety creep in, recite the scripture in your head (or out loud if needed) then pray it. Here’s an example:
“Father, I thank you so much for the financial provision you provide us. You know we are running a little bit short this month, so please calm my heart as I trust in you. I know you always come through for us and that our next paycheck will arrive in your time. Thank you, Lord. Amen.”
Perhaps you are more of a tangible learner. Consider writing your worries down, putting them in a container and burning them on a daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly basis. (Who doesn’t love literally watching your worries go up in smoke?) You can also write down a truth of God that counteracts your worry and collect them in a jar or your journal. Then on the hard days, you can go back and read through His truths to remind yourself that He is in charge.
Example:
BURN: “I am so worried that my husband will get injured/killed in the line of duty.”
TRUTH: “No matter what happens, God will never, ever leave or forsake me. His plans are perfect. His ways are higher than my ways.”
What areas of life do you worry about the most? (I would love to pray for you.) What other methods would help at eliminating worry in our lives? Please share by leaving a comment.
Friends, know that getting to a place of rock solid faith that always drives our feelings (and not the other way around) is a process. Honestly, it’s probably a life-long one at that. But know that it is worth it. So, so worth it.
Keep at it and He won’t let you down.
Feeling the Faith,
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” ~1 Peter 5:7 NIV
