Good morning…
Worries well-up naturally from our aching gut through our heavy heart to permeate our mixed-up mind. At their essence, worries are simply an invitation into prayer. Let me show you what I mean.
For example, instead of incessantly worrying “How am I ever going to homeschool my kids online again this fall semester?” we pray, “God, please help me to rest in You as Your peaceful presence overflows to make our home a fertile learning environment.” Instead of wallowing in worry, “How can I, one person, make any impact in the face of rampant racial injustice?” we pray, “Heavenly Father, planted in a place of influence, empower us to be healing agents in our hurting world.” Instead of worrying again and again, “Will I be able to pay the bills as they pile up?” we pray, “LORD, You are able to provide. We will work with You and watch expectantly for Your daily provision.” Instead of anxiously worrying, “How will college students thrive facing such an uncertain future?” we pray, “Jesus, I know You are going to school with our young adults, please grow in our children Your inner strength as a guiding Force.”
Did you notice the three things we are invited to do with each heartfelt worry?
First, we form the nagging worry into a clear, concise question.
Second, we add “God,” “Heavenly Father,” “LORD,” “Jesus,” to the statement, turning our worry into a personal prayer.
Third, we turn our fearful “I” into a trusting “we.” “How am I?” morphs into “How are we, You and I, going to address this issue?” “How can I?” expands into “Empower us to heal.” “Will I be able?” turns into “You are able, together we will.” “How will our children thrive?” becomes “Please guide each child by Your strong Spirit.”
As we pray more, we worry less, and we cocoon in the endless love of our Creator who transforms each one of us, according to God’s gracious time, in God’s higher way. Regularly we release our worries into the strong steady care of our Sustainer, like tangibly tuck each concern into a hand-painted prayer box … And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7, NIV).
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life (Philippians 4:7, MSG).
…Sue…
