Worry, worry, worry

I was reading a blog this morning - going back over some old posts she had written, and came across one that the title was simply "Worry". The blog author had been given a devotional on worry and this was the part she had included.

One day I was reading my Bible and noticed how Martha’s worries were making her weary, and making her wonder if Jesus cared that her sister left her in the kitchen to do all that work, all by herself.

And listen to how He responded: “‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” (NIV)

So, how do we choose what is better? How do we let go of our worries and take hold of confident peace that assures us God notices and God cares?

First Peter 5:7 tells us: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (NLT)

The apostle Paul tells us the same and he tells us how: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT)

It sounds so doable, but why is it so hard? I think it’s because Satan whispers the opposite. He tells us, “Don’t be calm about anything; instead worry about everything. Tell God what He should do. Then take control if He doesn’t listen. And concerns that consume you will become like acid in your heart, eroding your confidence with worry and doubt!”

Instead of giving into the whispers of worry, spoken by the enemy, let’s listen to God’s promise for peace. When we feel overwhelmed by life this week, let’s commit to …

• Stop worrying — Press the pause button on our consuming concerns.

• Start praying — Talk to God about all we’re doing. Ask if there’s anything we need to cut back so we can seek Him as much as we serve Him, and others.

• Keep thanking God — Thank God for what He’s done in the past and will do in the future. This helps us remember how good He is at being God.

I am twisted in knots of worry over the fact that our house has not sold yet and we are getting possession of the new house on FRIDAY! I was doing so much better about not being a worrier, not taking the control back from God, not telling God what He should do, but of course as soon as we said yes to God, yes to following His leading back into ministry, yes to trusting, that is when I was attacked. And the funny part is that during the decision making process, Satan was attacking our children - keeping them up at night, crying out and disturbing Mommy and Daddy's sleep as well as their own off and on for hours. Them being grouchy and crying in the morning - off and on all morning having meltdown after meltdown, trading off so their parents were ready to send them all back. So we have been bathing them in prayers - prayers of protection as well as ones that they will be filled with joy, love and that they will be free from the arrows Satan was flinging at them. And it has been good. Our focus has been on God and His ability to keep our children safe and to do SO MUCH MORE than we can imagine.
But, I have not been praying for ME, for MY protection, for MY trust and ability to REST in God's promises. That He will NEVER fail me, He is good at being in the driver's seat,
"HE is ABLE, He will NEVER fail, He is Almighty God, Greater than all we seek, Greater than all we ASK, He has done great things" (from Hillsong's new song "God is Able").
I need to stop worrying, and need to start praying for myself and the attacks that I am experiencing as well as resting in God and TRUSTING Him that He can do so much more than I can imagine and start thanking Him for all that He has done.