When Worry is Part of Your
Personality
TRACIE MILES
TRACIE MILES
"Therefore
do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has
enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
His
comment wasn't meant to be critical, but it immediately pierced my heart.
I
was explaining to my husband how worried I'd been about several situations and
reciting the reasons why my worry was justified. He gently reminded me that
worrying wouldn't help anything, and I quickly replied, "But I can't help
it!"
Then
he said with a smile, "I know you can't. Worrying is just part of your
personality."
Deep
down I knew I worried too much, especially when it came to my children's safety,
their happiness and situations I couldn't control. But I didn't want to be
labeled a "worrier," and I certainly didn't want to admit worrying was "part of
my personality."
Yet,
if I were honest with myself, I knew it was true.
Although
I trust God and know He is in control, the human side of me often tends to
worry. I'm thankful God isn't surprised by my worry, and wants to help me
overcome it. Jesus even addressed this very issue when He taught His followers
in what we now call the Sermon on the Mount.
In
this teaching, Jesus shared detailed instructions for how Christians should live their daily lives and how faith should shape
behavior - including how to deal with worry.
In
Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus specifically told His followers not to worry about food
or clothes because God would provide for their needs, just as He does for the
birds of the air. This promise of provision and protection applies to all areas
of our lives, including help with our problems and easing our inner-most
anxieties.
Jesus
knew the people of that time struggled with worry, just as we do. At times it is
hard to trust God with the concerns that weigh heaviest on our hearts. Instead
of trusting Him to handle what we cannot, we waste the opportunities of today
worrying about the possibilities of tomorrow. God wants us to leave our problems
in His hands, rather than let them become a stumbling block in our faith.
Sometimes
it takes a gentle reminder, such as my husband's innocent words, to remind me of
this promise. I needed to stop holding onto my worries and quit continually
reminding Jesus to be as concerned as I was. Instead, I should daily turn those
worries into prayers. I have since committed to worrying less and trusting Jesus
more and have experienced the freedom that comes with truly entrusting my needs
to Him.
Although
we all have things in our lives that lead to worry and reasons to be concerned,
what peace we can enjoy if we consciously choose to lay down each day's worries
at God's feet and leave tomorrow's worries up to Him, too.
Lord,
forgive me for not trusting You with my problems and for letting my worry become
a wedge in my faith. Give me the strength to put them in Your hands and avoid
trying to take them back. Help me learn to trust You more and believe You are
always in control of my life and the things that worry me most. In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
"...
for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for
all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to
come." 1
Timothy 4:8 (NASB)
Recently,
I went to the gym to get in some cardio. Cardio makes me sweat, and sweat means
my fat is crying.
Hallelujah!
Then
I decided to go for some strength training. I don't like strength training.
I
found myself wandering around, trying to remember which machine did what and how
much weight was the right amount. I looked like a lost puppy.
I
just don't like weights. They are unfamiliar. They are hard.
My
visit to the gym was the first time in a long while that I've attempted
resistance training on my own.
At
various times last year, I'd been at the gym, hitting the weights ... but not by
myself.
Last
year, my husband and I made a commitment to invest in our health and worked with
a personal trainer.
It.
Was. So. Hard. And it involved a lot of weights.
We
were with someone who knew what they were doing, giving us direction.
Someone
successful in getting both of us to try new machines, routines and levels of
resistance.
Someone
who worked us hard ... very hard.
I
didn't like it.
Well,
I didn't like it until I started seeing a change in my body.
There
is something about being pushed to lift a weight you think is too heavy that
brings a new level of physical and mental strength - challenging you to attempt
more reps than you would on your own.
There
is something about a person knowing what you are capable of doing, even when you
don't know that for yourself.
There
is something about a trainer.
In
my spiritual life, I like to do what "works." I go to church. I pray. I read my
Bible.
But
sometimes I'm challenged in the gym of life to hit the heavy stuff. But not by
myself.
When
I made the commitment to have Jesus be the Lord of my life, I also committed to
allow Him to be my personal Trainer.
And
I'm not gonna lie. Sometimes it's been hard. And involved a lot of heavy
lifting.
But
I've learned that God is truly Someone who knows what He is doing.
Someone
who gets me to try new experiences, routines or levels of resistance.
Someone
who allows the hard ... the very hard.
And
many times I don't like it.
That
is, until I start seeing a change in my soul.
There
is something about being pushed to lift a weight that we think is too heavy that
brings us to a new level of spiritual maturity - challenging us to go for a few
more days, weeks, months or years in a situation we wouldn't even attempt on our
own.
There
is something about a Person knowing what you are capable of even when you don't
know that for yourself.
There
is something about the Trainer.
Indeed,
God the Master Trainer, has the health of our spirit and soul in mind.
And
because He knows where I need to be tested, challenged and stretched, He will
not allow me to stay in my comfort zone.
Although
I could keep doing what "works" in my spiritual life, it's
the uncomfortable situations God allows that strengthen and make me
more "fit" in the faith.
So
hang in there. God is the Master Trainer. He knows what He's doing.
Father
God, I really don't like when life is hard. I don't like carrying heavy loads or
pressing through difficult situations. Please help me see each and every
uncomfortable circumstance You allow in my life as an opportunity for me to
grow. Help me to trust that You are indeed the Master Trainer. Help me to
believe and rest knowing that, even when life is tough, You know exactly what
You are doing and have my spiritual strength and well-being at heart. In Jesus'
Name, Amen.
"Whom
have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you." Psalm
73:25 (NIV)
I
long to be fully devoted to God, but it amazes me how far things can get out of
line when I'm not paying attention.
In
weak moments, I can spend money on myself that I've saved to give away. I've sat
halfway through a sitcom before realizing I'm laughing at things contrary to the
will of God.
Bad
habits quickly gain the upper hand when I neglect to address them daily. Worse
yet, a passion for self-indulgence can sometimes trump my devotion to God.
Perhaps
you can relate. If we aren't careful, it's easy to let worldly desires become
obsessions, redirecting our love and devotion away from God.
When
I give more devotion to anything or anyone other than God, I'm being unfaithful.
Why? Because I belong to God and He deserves my whole heart.
Yet
one of the most amazing things about our great God is no matter how unfaithful
we are, God is never unfaithful to us. He is wholly devoted to His children,
holding nothing back.
Not
love.
Not
forgiveness.
Not
mercy.
Not
provision, protection or His presence.
Not
even His Son.
Our
heavenly Father, by example, models devotion for us. Take another look. God is
totally devoted to you. The question is, "Are you totally devoted to
Him?"
You
already know my devotion isn't always what it should be. However, giving in to
worldly passions isn't the only thing that exposes my lack of devotion. Holding
back parts of myself from God is a sure sign of a divided heart.
I
tend to withhold my time, adoration, dedication, honesty and gratitude. Yet
without full surrender on my part, I'll never become fully devoted to God. It's
only when God means more to me than anything or anyone on earth that my heart
will be fully devoted to Him alone. Then I can state our key verse with
passion:
"Whom
have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides
you" (Psalm 73:25).
Our
key verse is attributed to a music director of King David named Asaph. And from
this verse, it's obvious nothing meant more to him than God. Asaph knew God was
far more excellent than any object on earth.
God
is our peace and joy. He is our salvation and
security. He is our daily portion and strength. Nothing of earth's wealth, honor
or fame comes close to God. Even in heaven there is nothing more superb than He.
For that reason, Asaph proclaims, "earth has nothing I desire besides
you."
When
you and I are able to say those very words and mean them, our devotion for God
will shine. But that's not all. There are benefits to being fully devoted to
God.
A
devoted heart draws near to God and experiences His presence throughout the day.
A fully surrendered heart calls us to fellowship with Christ so that His power
can equip us to carry out His plans. Devotion allows us to adore Him for who He
is: a God who withholds nothing from His children.
A
love like that reminds me of the lyrics from an old hymn penned by Isaac Watts:
"Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."
May
the Holy Spirit stir our hearts until we can say, "There is nothing I desire
besides you, Lord."
Dear
Lord, I'm so grateful for your immeasurable devotion to me. Work in me until I'm
completely devoted to you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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