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 rest. 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 rest.

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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 us—and 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:

Matt.11.28-Matt.11.30|Isa.41.10