"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: 31-34.
If there is a verse or passage in the Bible that is my favorite this is the one. It is the one that speaks most to me because of my personality and speaks the entire message of God here. Do not worry. I agree that it is easier said than done. I worry about a lot of things as I am sure everyone does. Doesn't matter how big or small, they are very real. This is a passage that always comes to my mind when I have hit bottom or my energy is at its lowest ebb. It comes to me when I am tested by something that my own knowledge and abilities are insufficient against. It is tough and scary when you feel helpless. You want to do something but are unable. Most of the time, this manifests in worrying, fear, and/or anger. I respond in all these ways at times.
I usually follow the same pattern in uncertainty. First, there is worry where my mind travels down the path of the worst case scenario. As you continue down that path, anxiety and fear can continue to build moment after moment. It consumes your thoughts and heart until all you have is more worry. This can be more self-destructive. I know, I have been there.
When my wife had surgery or my parents had health scares - fear but mostly uncertainty gripped my heart. I immediately went into worst case scenarios before I could catch my breath. What does this mean? What is going to happen? What will we do? These are all questions that can go through your mind. (I've gotten better recently with this)
It is OK to have these moments. As men, we are taught in this society that we have to be strong, decisive, and most importantly be fearless. Also, it's nice to have all the answers. But as men of faith, we need to acknowledge that we wont have all the answers nor will we be strong enough or be certain of our path.
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7.
This is important to understand. It speaks to who God is. He cares for each of us and we can cast all of our anxiety on Him. Not some, not just the big items, but all.
God knows that we are fearful and we like to worry about lots of things. Finances, health, family, the future, and work are just a few of the things that can consume us with worry. It is said many times in the bible " Do not be afraid". Yet, we remain so because uncertainty can easily turn to fear. God knows this about us and gives us reassurance that no matter what we can turn to Him.
Some of the things that help me in times of uncertainty are prayer, reading the Bible, worship, and talking with others. Don't try to plug along on your own during the uncertain times. God provides ways to get through them. Never underestimate the power of people praying along with you.
Psalm 55:22 adds "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken".
There's a definite comfort in that knowledge. That we follow a God that we can come to in all sorts of time and need. I would remiss to add that we should come to Him even when things seem to be going well.
This doesn't mean we will have everything answered the way we want or that our lives will be without stress or tough times. There are always going to be things that don't go our way, things that will cause us to fear, or cause us to worry. But, we have a Comforter that will get us through those times. We have to seek Him and go to Him when they occur. His promise is that He will sustain us and give us what is needed. We can live in the certainty of that promise instead of a world of worry.
If there is a verse or passage in the Bible that is my favorite this is the one. It is the one that speaks most to me because of my personality and speaks the entire message of God here. Do not worry. I agree that it is easier said than done. I worry about a lot of things as I am sure everyone does. Doesn't matter how big or small, they are very real. This is a passage that always comes to my mind when I have hit bottom or my energy is at its lowest ebb. It comes to me when I am tested by something that my own knowledge and abilities are insufficient against. It is tough and scary when you feel helpless. You want to do something but are unable. Most of the time, this manifests in worrying, fear, and/or anger. I respond in all these ways at times.
I usually follow the same pattern in uncertainty. First, there is worry where my mind travels down the path of the worst case scenario. As you continue down that path, anxiety and fear can continue to build moment after moment. It consumes your thoughts and heart until all you have is more worry. This can be more self-destructive. I know, I have been there.
When my wife had surgery or my parents had health scares - fear but mostly uncertainty gripped my heart. I immediately went into worst case scenarios before I could catch my breath. What does this mean? What is going to happen? What will we do? These are all questions that can go through your mind. (I've gotten better recently with this)
It is OK to have these moments. As men, we are taught in this society that we have to be strong, decisive, and most importantly be fearless. Also, it's nice to have all the answers. But as men of faith, we need to acknowledge that we wont have all the answers nor will we be strong enough or be certain of our path.
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7.
This is important to understand. It speaks to who God is. He cares for each of us and we can cast all of our anxiety on Him. Not some, not just the big items, but all.
God knows that we are fearful and we like to worry about lots of things. Finances, health, family, the future, and work are just a few of the things that can consume us with worry. It is said many times in the bible " Do not be afraid". Yet, we remain so because uncertainty can easily turn to fear. God knows this about us and gives us reassurance that no matter what we can turn to Him.
Some of the things that help me in times of uncertainty are prayer, reading the Bible, worship, and talking with others. Don't try to plug along on your own during the uncertain times. God provides ways to get through them. Never underestimate the power of people praying along with you.
Psalm 55:22 adds "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken".
There's a definite comfort in that knowledge. That we follow a God that we can come to in all sorts of time and need. I would remiss to add that we should come to Him even when things seem to be going well.
This doesn't mean we will have everything answered the way we want or that our lives will be without stress or tough times. There are always going to be things that don't go our way, things that will cause us to fear, or cause us to worry. But, we have a Comforter that will get us through those times. We have to seek Him and go to Him when they occur. His promise is that He will sustain us and give us what is needed. We can live in the certainty of that promise instead of a world of worry.
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