Focus on God
Worry or Worship?
Worry. We all have done it. None of us like it and yet, it seems to be one of those nagging constants in life that we can never get rid of. If you are anything like I am, over the years you may have worried about your living situation, your job, family, health, opinions of others, salvation of someone you love, the weather, and my personal favorite - the future! The list could go on and on. With all my worrying, I have learned two important lessons: one is that worrying never solves anything and the other is that worrying wears me down. When I am worn down, I am less able to face not only the challenges in my life, but I also miss the blessings God is sending my way.
It is natural, normal, and even healthy to feel concern. Without concern, we wouldn’t feel the urge to reach out and help someone. We wouldn’t have empathy for those in need. But rather, it is the anxious worry and the recurring fear that consumes us and robs us of our sleep, that we need to release to God.
God’s word tells us not worry, but often, we still do. We like to get things figured out in our own timing and our own strength. But wouldn’t it be better to let go of the reins have Someone else take control? Absolutely!
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7).
Trusting God and giving Him our worries isn’t easy. Often it can feel like an impossible task. We hang on tightly, desperately trying to retain control of the situation. But all that does is increase our anxiety. We need to make the conscious choice to turn our focus to Him any way we can – through prayer, reading His word, turning on worship music, or serving. In a study I’m going through right now, we are challenged to decide whom or what we should worship. “Will it be the opinions of others, our fears, or even our own comfort? Or will it be the One who created our souls to worship?” (Lysa Terkeurst)
Choosing to worship God over our worries is freeing! It releases us from the stress of having to get it all figured out. It doesn’t mean we won’t have trials. But it does mean He will strengthen and help us through our trials. When we trade our worries with worshiping and obeying God, we are exchanging our anxiety with peace…the peace that only God can give.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27).
So, what does worshiping God when we are trying to stop worrying look like? It is turning our focus to Him and trusting Him to give us the strength we need. It is choosing to walk in obedience to Christ and directing our attention away from ourselves and onto our blessings rather than the fears that keep us up at night. It is trusting in God’s plan and resting in the peace He gives, knowing that God loves us far more than we can ever think or imagine.
9 Comments
This article is rich. We can not do both, worry and worship. I know, because I have tried to walk on both sides of that street, unsuccessfully. I've found this statement to be true, "When we trade our worries with worshiping and obeying God, we are exchanging our anxiety with peace…the peace that only God can give." When I am overwhelmed with the things life dished out, I worship. I remind God who He is and what He has promised and I turn on worship music and sing and dance like until my attitude matches my belief that God is in control.
ReplyDeleteHi! Sorry for the delayed response to your great comment! I didn't have my notifications set up properly! LOL Yes, when I am overwhelmed, I have learned to turn to God as well! Sometimes I turn on music and worship Him that way. At other times I open His word and absorb His truths, and of course, I pray and cast my concerns on Him. But through it all I lean into Him, knowing that He is with me. The key is taking my focus off my problems and turning my focus to Him! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThank you for the timely reminder that worship drives out worry! I've made a habit of listing 5-10 blessings every morning in my journal, and on really hard days, I write out my thoughts as worship and praise. It helps me change my perspective and my expectations. I am blessed beyond measure and know god is trustworthy.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great thing to do each morning! I have a journal, too, in which I write down prayers... and PRAISES! I love going back over the pages to see all the prayers God has answered. Sometimes He has answered in surprising ways, but keeping track like that increases my faith! It reminds me that He is always faithful! Thanks for stopping by! Blessings, Joan
DeleteJoan, this post is something I need right now as I walk through some hard relationship things in our family. I'm prone to worry. But your reminder to stop and choose to be thankful for the blessings God has given is one I need to hold onto. Thank you for that. Beautiful words here!
ReplyDeleteYes, the choice can sometimes be a difficult one, however, when we focus on God and all His blessings, trusting our worries to Him, He gives us the strength to move forward. And, our God is always faithful! We can count on Him! Blessings! Joan
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ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this reminder to lift our eyes from self to Savior! It makes all the difference. 🤗 Stopping by from #tuneinthursday
ReplyDeleteHi Laura! Thanks for stopping by from #tuneinthursday! I have a list of worries right now (don't we all?) but, I'm choosing to focus on the things for which I am so thankful. It is amazing when I "cast my cares upon Him", He is faithful and the worries fade into the background.
DeleteJoin the conversation! (Be sure to add your first name so I know who I'm talking to!)