As humans, we have certain feelings that are very hard to get them under control since they are part of ourselves. At the same time, the Christian life we have to live cannot be lived in a victorious, peaceful, joyful, and fulfilling manner without bringing them under subjection. Keep in mind, the Christian life is based on principles rather than human feelings. So it’s a matter of us coming away from our human ways, efforts, wisdom, and understanding by laying a hold on something that can help us overcome our human weaknesses. That’s exactly where we have to be willing to go beyond the very obstacles that are hindering us to live the kind of life that God wants us to live by relying on Him. 

We all know that worry is truly something that we’re struggling with on a constant basis, especially when things have taken a turn for the worst. Through worry we allow our minds to dwell on difficulties or troubles instead of God. In this case, we basically allow fear to control us to the extent that it starts influencing our way of thinking in a negative way. It’s worthwhile that we take a look at these Scripture verses below.

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).

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).

Worry is expressed presently in connection to the uncertainty of the future based on our own evaluation concerning the state of a current situation. We tend to conceive the future on the basis of what we can do in the present in order to improve the way things will be. Or in the context of how things currently are and coming up with a conclusion of how things might eventually become. Well, there isn’t something completely wrong with that kind of mindset since we’re just human being with very limited knowledge and understanding.

However, God doesn’t want us to conceive the future only based on what we can do now in order to improve it, but rather on what He can do on our behalf if we’re willing to trust Him. How often things don’t come out as expected in your life regardless of how much sacrifices you’ve made? I bet this occurs so many times. These types of unpleasant outcomes are pretty much what deliver a crushing blow to our confidence about the future. This truly shows us that no matter how hard we may try, we’ll never be able to get a complete hold of the future.

Practical Application

While worry is totally based on our own human feelings due to uncertainty about the future, but the good news is that we’re serving a God who has a firm certainty of how everything will be unfolded since He’s operating in a realm that’s above time. He’s a God who cares about us far more than we care about ourselves. A God who loves us far more than we even love ourselves. In fact, He’s the very One who shows us how to love ourselves.

So we can either choose to look at life’s issues from a purely human perspective which is all about us, what we can do, and when we want something to be done, or from a divine perspective which is all about what God can do in response to what we’re going through, His will, and His divine timing for our lives.

Or if we’ve been trusting God all along and things still have gone to an unanticipated direction, we can either choose to develop an attitude of praising and worshiping God which can be classified as the greatest expression of our faith in Him, or we can just let fear to get the most of us. The truth about relying on God is that He may not take care of us as we want Him to do so, but He’ll surely take care of us how He sees fit.

Today Prayer

Dear heavenly, we’re living a life marked by uncertainties, confusions, and deceptions. In most cases, these are the very things that trigger our worries and fears. We also have major human weaknesses that are pulling us down like a powerful gravity force. Lot of time we live our lives far below the standard by which You want us to live as a result of being worried too much about the future while our future is in Your mighty hand. That’s exactly what You want us to lay a strong hold on as Your children. And the problem is that when we act out on our worries, it exacerbates the situation even further. 

We pray that You help us develop a mindset of relying on You no matter how frightening things may look. A mindset that compels us to move beyond our anxieties by taking Your Word at face value. When we trust You above all, things will never be the same. And when we trust You, we allow You to take care of our worries. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.