Day 4: Sometimes Worry Makes Me Wonder
Taken in part from Chapter 9
© 2011 by Renee Swope with Revell Publishing. All rights reserved.
Food for Thought: She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40 NIV)
When life gets overwhelming, do you ever start to wonder if God notices and cares about everything you have going on—like how hard you’re trying to take care of your family, pay the bills, find time for Bible study, your marriage and the ministry He’s called you to while working two jobs, caring for your aging parents, commuting to work, and carpooling your kids?
Several years ago, I was having a hard time balancing my life, and there were days when I wondered if God noticed and cared about all I was doing. I didn’t understand why He wasn’t taking better care of the details in my days so things would run more smoothly. Sometimes I felt like He might be expecting too much of me.
Looking back now, I can see that I was expecting too much of myself. The truth is, I was doing a lot of good things, but not all of them were God’s things for me during that season of my life. I had ended up in a place where I was serving God more than I was seeking God. Finally, I came to a point where I was exhausted and ready to resign from just about everything.
Eventually I ran out of fuel. I didn’t have enough energy to handle all of my roles, relationships, and responsibilities. I also ran out of faith, which made me start doubting my ability to manage my life, to hear God clearly, and to do all I assumed He wanted me to do.
My life was out of balance and so was my heart. I had taken on too many commitments, and I worried about all of them all of the time. I knew I should trust God more, but I was secretly afraid that if I stopped worrying about everything and everybody He would too. And all that worry started making me weary.
One day, while reading my Bible, I noticed how Martha’s worries were making her weary, and making her wonder if Jesus cared that her sister left her in the kitchen all by herself to do all that work. Listen to how Jesus responded: “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41–42 NIV)
How do we choose what is better? How do we find confident peace and assurance that God notices and 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 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. (Phil. 4:6–7 NLT)
It sounds so doable, but why is it so hard? I think it’s because Satan whispers the opposite. He says, “Don’t be calm about anything; instead worry about everything. Tell God what He should do. Then take control if He doesn’t listen.”
The enemy wants our concerns to consume us like acid in our hearts, eroding our confidence with worry and doubt! I say it’s time for us to stop listening to him and start listening to and living in God’s promises instead. When our concerns become consuming, let’s commit to:
Stop worrying—Press the pause button on our consuming concerns.
Start praying—Talk to God about all we’re doing and ask Him if there’s anything we need to cut back so we have time to 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.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts. When concerns consume me, remind me that You are with me, holding me by my right hand and guiding me with Your counsel. I want to seek You as much as I serve You and others. Help me balance my life and give my burdens to You, knowing with confidence that You care about me and are good at taking care of me! In Jesus’ name, Amen. (See Psalm 139:23; 73:23–26)
Doubt Diet Tip: Lose the weight of worry by “giving all your worries and cares to the Lord because He cares for you!” Write your concerns on an index card and give them to Jesus. I have a tabletop cross by my bedside where I lay my “concerns card.” Maybe you could get one too. Then, when you start worrying, go back and write your worries on your card, and commit once again to cast your cares upon the Lord. Also, write a promise on a card and carry it with you today. Here’s a link to More Peace-Giving Promises
Let’s Talk: What is one concern you want to lay down at the foot of the Cross today? I’d love for us to pray for each other and bear one another’s burdens.
Please return to my website (if you’re reading this via email), then scroll to the bottom of today’s post and click on “Share Your Thoughts” so you can let us know how to pray for you. If you’re not comfortable sharing details, just say “Pray for me please.”
Laying it down: My biggest concern is my mom. While I was flying home from speaking all weekend in IL, my husband was rushing mom to the hospital. She’s in ICU with large blood clots in both lungs. One is very close to the main artery that leads to her heart. We’re praying and trusting God is not surprised by any of this – although we were. Today’s devotion had already been written – just for me (wink!). And my closing message on Saturday was about Jesus calling us to come to Him – when we’re weary and burdened with worry – so that we can find rest for our souls (Matt 11:38-39), rest in His presence, rest in His plans and rest in His promises. He’s gone ahead of me and left gifts of peace and reminders of His promises along my path. I pray you see His hand in the timing of today’s devotion and His heart for you, too.
Hi Renee =),
Am a student in college and going through a period in my life where i feel overwhelmed by life, the school work, finances and everything seems to be going wrong so i decided to do the 7 day doubt diet again . Day four really spoke to me because am a compulsive worrier and i worry mostly about things i really have no control over. It reminded me to seek God and focus on Him and stop focusing on my problems. I know God wants me to let go and surrender my burdens to Him but i keep giving them to Him then taking them back. Please pray for me to be able to stop worrying and focus on God and to trust Him with my burdens.
Renee, somehow I have received this devotion at just the right time. I have been thinking that maybe God has forgotten all about me. My husband and I got married in Apr of this year, in June,I found out that he was having an affair. After a lot of lies, I decided to leave and return to my home country. Since then, my hus and and I have decided that we love each other and want to honor our vows. Unfortunately, my daughter and my visa have expired. My husband had to file petitions to get us back in the country, so far things have gone wrong. The first time he forgot to send the petition with the rest of the paperwork. The second time, the cashiers check got lost and the petition was rejected. We filed for the third time and are still waiting to hear from immigration. Every time I want to give up, I get a word to persevere, to not give up. Please pray that God will help us get back to the States, so that we can honor the vows we made before God .
Perfect timing for today. With God it always is. Thanks Renee. I am seeking peace today and will be praying for your Mom and all of the others.
I am feeling unsettled & I seem to frequently come back to this crummy spot. Today’s message was just what I needed. I am praying for those who posted ahead of me today. My heart goes out to each of you. We are one family in Christ. God does have all of this under control, even when we don’t know they reasons why behind what’s happening. His voice asks, “Do you trust me?” My answer is always “yes, Lord”. Then there really is no reason to worry. I’m working on it, but I’m a work in progress. 🙂
As I was in Sunday School class with the elderly this week, some of them had some of the same fears of finances, loneliness, health issues, family issues, and much more. God did have to draw me any pictures. My heartfelt cry, just seem to say, … but, God! Nothing is impossible with You!
Lord, I am not sure what to say, but I know that there is none like You. You hear those that are distressed, those who are troubled, and know their cry in the day or at night. You see the brokenness, the hurt and pain that sometimes we face and You are their to comfort us. You feel the hunger in our souls, the loneliness that dwells within our being, and You know how much we need Your Word and Your Presence.
God, you are the calm in the storms of our lives. We need your Counsel, we need your Hope, we need your Guidance and your Righteousness. We need your help. Surround us with your love. Uplift and carry us through with Your promises. Have mercy and compassion on these that have special needs Lord. Give us strength. Let us be the one who kneels at your feet and gives You praise and worship in everything. in Christ
Pray for me please.
thank you-
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I married a preacher a little over 3 years ago. Unfortunately, he is not the person I thought he would be. I sometimes do not know how to deal with the situation. I love our church and our church family, however, he mistreats me badly and has made it hard for me to spend time with my son. I don’t understand this and I have prayed about it for the last three years. I don’t know where my life is headed and it is scary. I ask that you pray for me that I will make the decisions that God would want me to make in my life.
Please pray I need direction and self discpline and for a son that will be going into Prison.
Renee,
The timing of today’s post wasn’t by chance. I have the privilege of having all four of my kids home again under the same roof for the holidays from college. Factors from the life we had to live through when they were small seem to reappear when they are all together and the stress rises as do the doubts of ourselves and each other. The psychological abuse that took place has left scars that the devil would like to reopen.
I would ask today that you pray for God’s timing to reveal how precious family time is and always will be to scatter it with disagreements and discord. Satan wants nothing more than for us to falter, but God wants to bless us as we gather. Jer 29:11 is one of my favorite verses- For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm, plans for a hope and a future. I’m claiming this constantly as we walk through this time.
Pray that God would open my eyes and heart to what part I’m to play in this process with my 4 children.
Thanks!
What perfect timing to read this message. Just before I opened this email, I received a call from my son’s school advising they were evacuating the school due to a strong smell of smoke. I live close to the school and can hear all of the sirens of emergency vehicles going to the school. I opened your email and started praying. It is very hard to lay this worry down, but I am praying. Our family also needs prayers for health issues. This is a hard time of the year and I am determined to stay upbeat because what a blessings it is to celebrate the wonderful birth of Jesus. I will add your mother and the other’s who have commented on this page to my prayers. How fantastic is it that we can pray and God hears us!
Please pray for me Thank you
Thank you again for the chance to share and pray, I have just purchased your book last night and I am looking forward to starting so much. Please pray for my son to return to the Lord, for Godly friends and to break ties with anything pulling him away from God
Please pray for me. I just purchased your book and look forward to the on-line study in January.Thanks
Please pray for my family. We are struggling financially and spiritually. My husband had an MRI almost 2 weeks ago. He was told last week that he has an enlarged spleen and is being referred to a neurosurgeon. Right now, we don’t know the cause of the enlarged spleen and are still waiting on an appt to find out what is going on. We also don’t know why he is being sent to the neurosurgeon. I know that God is in control of our situation, however my mind is going in a hundred different directions. I don’t know which way to turn and have started to find myself being depressed and not able to talk to anyone about what is going on.
Hi Renee and my 7 day doubt diet sisters in Christ. Thank God for you all. God has orchestrated this teaching for a purpose and reason and I for one am extremely glad. I ask that you would stand with me in prayer over my financial situation.
My ex husband and I decided to give our relationship another go after he walked out un -announced. I used to take care of the finances in our home however I decided to trust him to take care of things as we were giving things a new go and a new look. My personal finances were a bit low as I had been off work for a lengthy period of time due to illness however God healed me. However whatever money that I was giving to my husband to take care of situations and for me to move with him to Chicago he took for himself and left me in £2,000 pounds debt. which I am still sorting out. God is working things out but there are times that I get discouraged and worried as to whether I am going to be able to make ends meet each month. Worry tries to consume me but I keep encouraging myself in the word over and over again until it gets deep down into my spirit..
Ladies I want to encourage you as I encourage myself God is in control irrespective of how things look or how things are, he is in control. Stand on his word, stand on his promises declare them over your life daily, he is faithful, he will not let us down, reject the lies of the enemy. I hear in my spirit that this is a temporal inconvenience for a permanent improvement . I dont want to weary you all in reading my comment but Reneee, God bless you thank you for being obedient to the call of God in your life. Thank you or this word that you have posted here for us all to read and be encouraged by. We love you Renee. Sister lets continue to keep praying for each other and be expectant for positive results.
I think I have some of the opposite problems right now, but the parts about letting go of my anxious thoughts and trusting God hit home! We recently moved and my whole life has changed. I am a wife and mother of four kids. For the first time in 15 years I have to work. I had a good job but hurt my back, had surgery, and now I am starting from scratch. The job search is truly draining my confidence and making me question my value as a person. Plus, I haven’t been able to volunteer at the kids’ schools like I used to. I want to find a place where I fit in and where I can make a difference. It is very hard when dealing with rejection from employers on a regular basis. I appreciate the reminder that God is in control and will place me where He wants me! Thank you for making a difference in my day and my attitude!
Thank you, Renee!!!
Please pray for me.
Please pray for my emotional health. Please pray that I would quickly get through the grieving process of breaking up with my boyfriend and that my confidence and self-worth would be not just restored, because I don’t think I ever had it in the first place, but that I would gain that confidence and realize my worth to the Lord.
Worry and anxiety have loomed so great in my heart. I am a single momma to 3 girls, only 1 at home now. I have been out of work for over 2yrs and my unemployment has ended and this month will be the last month I receive alimony. Financially this is a catastrophe. No income coming in except child support and I’m terrified and have no idea how I will pay our rent… I’ve sent out more resumes than I can count and nothing… I’m scared… I can’t move because I have no income. I pray that God will provide a way for me to pay our rent and bills.
Please pray for me!!
My family has to move house. Please pray that God will lead us to the house that he has chosen, knowing our financial situation and the specifications we need.
I want the house that he has chosen, let us not walk by his choice for us.
Please pray for my child to be healed, my family and an unspoken request. I am deeply grateful and covet your prayers.
My mom has Alzheimer’s and I am just so sad this Christmas season. I am a newlywed and have been blessed with a new family but i miss my family so much. I do everything I can to make things right for her but I am exhausted. I wish Christmas would just be over. It is a heartbreaking time.
Hi Renee,
I just signed up for your emails last week and it’s no coincidence that I am here asking for prayer. I will try not to take up too much space.
8 years ago I let God into my life. I had a wonderful pastor and church family. 4 1/2 years ago, I was offered the job as director of children’s ministry at our church. A year into it, our pastor got moved and we got a new pastor.
For the past 2 years our church has struggled financially becuase this pastor has ran off all the young couples in our church.
2 months ago, he took part of my job away with out any explanation. It was the children’s choir christmas program. I was very upset, so I thought I would take this through the proper committe of our church. I was met with this committe and asked for him to not be present (I have that right). The chair of that committee was a huge fan of our pastor and I was yelled at during that meeting and not given a chance to work out the differences. The pastor rewrote my job descritption and lied to the committee that it was never a part of my job. I had ppl from that committee contact me and tell me how sorry they were for the way the meeting went and that they were too scared to stand up for me.
A week later the pastor called me into his office and told me that my job was being dissolved as the church could no longer afford my wages. Then he proceeded to tell me that he hated that it came right after I “ran to committes’ trying to start stuff. I
This decision to let me go was never discussed in the financial committe it was something he did on his own. Most of the church has been angry over this, but not too much has been done.
Over this I have left my church home becuase it is so painful what he did to me. I’m ashamed to admit that our pastor is a lying, deceiving person that has no right to be in a pastors position. The people of the church have started catching him in lies right and left since this happened.
I just feel so lost. I wonder why God allowed this evil man to be in such a powerful postion as the ministry and him be so evil. I wonder why God didn’t notice how hard I worked at my job and the relationships I formed with some of the parents who really needed God in their lives.
I feel like I was so strong in my faith and this bump in the road has thrown me into a ditch I can seem to find my way out of. How can I, the one who often encouraged parents to attend church with their children, be the one not attending church. How can in 2 short months I be so far away from God. The “whys” seem so endless right now.
I have hit a depression that I haven’t been into in 8 years. I am scared. I can’t even bring myself to search for a new church.
I know this was a long post. I ask that you pray for peace in my life and for my faith in God to be restored. Pray that I feel His strong arms around me seeing me through this storm. I thank all who read this and pray for me. Many blessings.
I understand what you must be going through. I am married to a pastor like that and it is killing me inside every day. I just continue to pray for God’s guidance in my life and that he will open my husband’s eyes to what he is doing to his church and his wife.
Please pray for Becky. Her dad just found out today that he is full of cancer & she is broken-hearted as he does not want to be treated & just wants to be at home. She needs peace so bad. thank you.
I can emphatize with your concern for your Mom’s health. I will pray for her condition to be relieved and the blood clots successfully removed. I too have a concern about my Mom’s health. Mom has Parkinson’s Disease and has been monitored for the past three years. She is also experiencing memory loss (short term it seems). I live over 3000 miles away and visit every six months. Fortunately I have two sisters and a brother who live nearby which means Mom is still at home. She is 90 years old and weighs only 88 pounds. Pray with me that she can find good care in her last years and that the doctor’s will monitor her health in a updated way. She is a Christian but not very open about her faith. Pray I would not be so concerned and trust the Lord to heal and bring encouragement to her.
Renee, as I read your “Laying it down” closing…I remembered how much these Scripture-based prayers helped me when my mother was hospitalized…thought they might help others too…
PRAYING GOD’S WORD–TOP TEN NEEDS—HOW TO PRAY SCRIPTURE CONCERNING THEM:
SALVATION. Romans 10:9–that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. Romans 10:13–for “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”
“Lord, I confess with my mouth Jesus as Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. I am calling upon Your name alone to save me.”
DIRECTION. James 1:5–But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
“Lord, I don’t know what to do in this situation (name the situation). I don’t have a clue. But, I am asking You to show me what to do and how and when to do it. Thank You for answering my prayer and allowing me to keep coming back to You for direction.”
FORGIVENESS—GETTING IT FROM GOD. I John 1:9–If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
“Lord, I am admitting my sin to You (Name the sin/sins). I take full responsibility. I blame no one but me. Thank You that You are faithful every time to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from what I have done wrong. Help me to never do this again.”
FORGIVENESS—GIVING IT TO OTHERS. Mark 11:25–“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions.
“Lord, I come to You and I choose by an act of my will, to release (name that person) from my unforgiving grip. I give up my right to hurt (name that person) back. Thank You God that You now have the freedom to forgive me.”
FEAR. John 14:27–“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. Isaiah 43:2–“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. II Timothy 1:7–For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
“Lord, thank you for giving me Your Peace in the midst of my fear storm. I know I can’t find it anywhere else. I refuse to let my heart be troubled and filled with fear by all I see. I believe that when I pass through the waters of trouble, You will be with me. I believe that when I go through the flood of trials, I will not drown. I believe that when I walk through the fire of adversity I will not be burned because of You. I know that being afraid never comes from You.”
WORRY. Philippians 4:6–Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. I Peter 5:7–Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.
“Lord, I choose not to worry about (Name what you are worried about), because You told me not to. I trust You. I trust Your timing. Instead of worrying, I am going to worship You and ask You to take care of this. I thank You for the answer in advance. Thank You for how You are going to deal with this. I roll all my worries over onto You. I give it to You and I leave it with You.”
TEMPTATION. I Corinthians 10:13–No temptation [trial, testing] has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted [tried, tested] beyond what you are able, but with the temptation [trial, testing] will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.
“Lord, Thank You that no temptation can come my way that is new to You. Thank You that You will not allow more temptation into my life than I can—in Your power—say “No” to. Thank You for always making a way of escape—placing an Exit—over every temptation. Help me to look for those ways of escape.”
HEALING. Jeremiah 17:14–Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved,
For Thou art my praise. Psalm 103:1-3–Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases.
“Lord, You alone have the power to heal me of (you fill-in-the-blank). I praise You and thank You for all the benefits You offer. You alone can heal disease. I am asking You to heal me (you may insert someone else’s name) completely. I therefore, put my condition (or condition of the one you are praying for) into Your hands. I trust whatever You decide. No matter what, I will look to You.”
DELIVERANCE. John 8:32–and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:36–“If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
“Lord, I accept the truth of Your Word. I agree with You about the mess I am in. It is my own fault. I am now acting upon the truth of Your Word, believing it will set me free from these chains of bondage. Jesus, I believe You alone can and will deliver me.”
NEEDS. Matthew 6:33–“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Philippians 4:19–And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
“Lord, I seek You and getting totally right with You first. I make You number one in my life. Therefore, I am trusting You to bring everything together to meet my needs. You know my need for (you fill-in-the-blank). I am depending upon what You said concerning meeting my every need because of what Jesus has done. I am enthusiastically looking for Your answer.”
In Jesus name I pray!
Thank you Lord for giving me these wonderful people and most especially Renee Swope for being able to articulate the words I cannot find within my soul. You know where I am at Lord, you have a plan for me, a plan to prosper and not destroy! I thank you father for opening avenues for me to see you in a greater way!
I THANK YOU FOR COMPLETE RESTORATION, FOR REFRESHING MY SPIRIT, FOR REVIVING MY SOUL!
Clearly God had a word for us today through you Renee. Thank you! I am very burdened by the relationship between me and my youngest daughter, Amelia. Three gals are already out of the house and she’s the last one. I am very sad to have this chapter closing, the one I dreamt of all my life. I know I will always be a mom, but i also know this mothering role has and will change drastically. Meantime, my beloved daughter and I are not getting along. We are clashing with defense and offense. Just taking everything one another says to heart. We are both broken hearted about it, yet can’t seem to stop being cold and hurtful. It’s just awful. When I think of our sweet tender relationship that is now taut and stressed and bitter…all I can say is help me God! Help me to step out of this vicious cycle. Help me to take the higher road. Help me to love my daughter through the difficulty of separation. Help me be better. Help me!!!
And Lord please be with Renee through the fear of her mother’s health right now. Be with her mom and minister to this family. And we pray that you’d protect her from further harm. Give this mother and daughter sweet and tender moments. Allow this family to feel your deep love for them all as they go through this trial together. We pray that you the mighty physician would heal Renee’s mom, In Jesus’ name, Amen!