I feel like I’m not really a worrier until my kids are involved. Ups and downs at work don’t worry me. Family illness and trials, I handle well. My kids, however, put me in a whole new category. When my kids are involved, I can worry myself into a pit and struggle to get out. I feel the weight of the situation in my entire body. I become filled with sadness when I don’t have the answers or ability to control the situation. I begin to run various situations through my mind. I even begin to act like and assume that it’s never going to change or improve. I can dig myself into a nice large and deep hole.
Can you relate? Is there one area in your life that you worry about more than anything else? Recently, I was so stuck in worry I struggled to pray. I didn’t know how or what to pray. I knew I needed to pray, but I was stuck in the much of worry. It had me weighed down, weepy and not moving. I knew in my heart the way out was up. I knew God would throw me a rope, if I asked. So, I went to the one place I knew I would find comfort and peace-scripture. Here are a few that resonated with me:
Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up. (Proverbs 12:25 MSG).
And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? (Matthew 6:27 NRSV).
People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worryabout missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. (Matthew 6:34 MSG).
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6 NRSV).
If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. (James 1:5-8 MSG).
After reading the scriptures, some of them repeatedly, I started to feel a lightning in my spirit. The worry began to lift. I did two other things as this burden would try to creep back in and take me down. I had someone pray with me and I wrote it all in my prayer journal. Worry can be a constant battle within us.
When it takes a while for the burden to be resolved, worry can easily creep back in. I have to remind myself that God loves my kids more than I do. It is hard for me to fathom that, but I know it’s true. The more I want to worry the more I need to focus on Him who brings me peace. He has this all figured out. Worry will not add a day to my life or my child’s. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I believe that and hold onto it.
How do you handle worry? Share your experiences and encourage others below.