No Worries!
Posted by Andrea
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
Sugar Plum is sick. At around 2:00 am her cries for Mommy roused me from sound sleep and sent me zipping down the hall to her room. I was greeted by a feverish little girl, eager for medicine and juice.
After providing her with both and tucking her back into bed, I slipped down to the living room to pray for both Sugar Plum and myself. I could feel the worry and fear beginning to take root and I didn’t want to become overwhelmed by such a crippling attitude. As I prayed for Sugar Plum’s health to blossom and for my worries to wither, I remembered a wall plaque I had recently seen and been encouraged by in a Christian catalog. It read,
Why I shouldn’t worry…
- I am chosen by the will of God,
- Saved by the Grace of God,
- Held by the Love of God,
- Enpowered by the Spirit of God,
- Guided by the Word of God, and
- Protected by the Hand of God.
Aren’t those some excellent words of reassurance?
I need not worry because God has chosen me. God did not make a mistake when He chose me for motherhood. He purposely sent Sweet Pea and Sugar Plum into my life and made His will for my life quite clear. God is using motherhood to grow me and to transform me. He has equipped me for the task so I do not need to worry (Psalm 28:7).
I need not worry because I am saved by the grace of God. God fully understands my human weaknesses and my worries never catch Him by surprise. Just as the song Jesus Loves Me says, when I am weak, He is strong. When I am at my weakest, God seizes this opportunity to remind me that He is God Almighty. His grace is all I need! (2 Corinthians 12:9).
I need not worry because I am surrounded by the love of God. God is the ultimate loving parent who never stops caring for His children. The Bible tells me that God’s love is powerful, sacrificial, and unfailing and reminds me that there is nothing that can separate me from the love of my Heavenly Father. When I recognize the depth of God’s love for me, I have no reason to worry. His love will sustain me (John 3:16, Romans 8:35-39).
I need not worry because I am empowered by the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit has the power to flood me with joy, hope, and peace so that I am able to defeat worry. In addition, even when I’m so flustered that I cannot pray as well as I’d like and my words seem incoherent, God knows exactly what I’m saying. The Bible notes that the Holy Spirit intercedes on my behalf (Romans 15:13, Romans 8:26-27).
I need not worry because God’s Word guides me. It’s never wise for me to attempt to solve problems using my own limited strength. Whenever I do so, I always end up worrying. If I want to see true results, I need to consult God first. One way of doing so is by reading His Word and seeking guidance there. God’s Word provides the ammunition I need to eradicate worry. (Psalm 119:9-16).
I need not worry because I am protected by the hand of God. Because I am one of God’s children, His protection covers me. When frightening situations arise, it’s easy to feel vulnerable and slip into worry. I need to remember that God never leaves me and His protection is always with me. Even when faced with uncertainty, I know that God will not abandon me or allow me to be devoured by worry. I can give my troubles to Him and rest. (Psalm 4:8).
By the time I finished meditating on those truths, Sugar Plum’s medicine had begun to take effect. She was resting much more peacefully and I was able to climb back into bed with a lighter heart and a renewed mind. Shedding our worries is often easier said than done. But if we pray and meditate on God’s Word, we’ll find that we can slowly free ourselves from the bondage of worry. That’s one of the many benefits of being the King’s Kids!
Photo: Courtesy of toastforbrekkie (Flickr)
I love this post. So very true too. May God continue to give you that piece which passes all understanding. I will pray for your sweet one too.
Blessings, Jan
Thanks Jan! I appreciate your visit and your prayers!
Thanks for the reminder to focus on TRUTH in our anxiety. SO important!
Tami, I needed this reminder for myself. I suspect I’ll be back to reread this post several times when worry creeps in. Thanks for visiting!