A sweet little somebody crawled in bed with me the past two nights. She’s been coughing and running a fever. Seems like someone gets better and another one gets sick or injured. If I’m not careful, worry will weazle it’s way into my mind and I’ll start worry about what might go wrong next.
What if Aster gets pneumonia, like Josh did? What if she can’t go to preschool tomorrow and I can’t get those devotions edited for work? What if Andrew’s collar bone doesn’t start healing?
I’m sure you have a lot of what ifs of your own. I wish we could sit in a coffee shop and talk about and pray about things that are weighing you down or worries that are making you weary.
I’d tell you about the year I let my problems pile up and how all that pressure almost took me down. We could laugh about how I accidentally took my dogs medicine.
There are lessons I learned that I want to tell you about because they changed me – and rearranged me.
I learned how to process my worries with Jesus in a way I never had before. The load didn’t get smaller (hardly ever does) but the same but the weight got lighter because I learned how to let God carry it for me.
Since we can’t meet in a coffee shop, I want to share some things in a short video message I filmed weeks ago. I’ve been saving to share with you this week. In it, I’ll share three steps you can take to help you stop your concerns from consuming you and a powerful “visual” you can use to remind you to cast your cares upon the Lord. {Just click the arrow below to watch it.}
Message Notes: You can download this video’s “Message Notes” in a notes in a PDFor in a in a Word doc here. I encourage you to watch it once and just let God speak to your heart. Then if you want to, watch it again and follow along with the message notes which include parts of the message, verses and blanks to fill in. 
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Lord, help us turn our burdens over to You, and
{rest in knowing} You will take care of us. Psalm 55:22, GW
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Let’s Connect: I’d love to hear your thoughts and one thing you want to apply after hearing today’s video message.
Also, if you’re in my online study please share some of your answers to the questions from the end of Chapter 9. Click “share your thoughts” right below this post and do just that. 🙂 Let’s turn our burdens over to God and carry them to Him for one another, too, by praying for the person who leaves a comment before ours.
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I am still working on Chapter 8 and I still haven’t finished the exercises from Chapters 4-7, but I think God wanted me to watch this video today. It is my nature to be such a worrier and these are great lessons…now I just need to apply them. Thanks, Renee!
Thank you, Renee for writing about this today. I tend to let satan’s words overspeak everything I know to be true. I need this constant reminder to trust in the Lord & only hear His words.
At PeggyByTheSea: I, too, felt the same way about cleaning as a little girl. I felt if I cleaned house and was a ‘good girl’ my parents would love me more. I find myself trying to live out that lie in my marriage, i.e. “If I just act right, or look right/attractive, then he’ll love me more”. All lies created by the devil with the intention of keeping me distracted from God and focused on my worry. But no more!!
Hi Amy….I always pray that Jesus would just come and get me…I don’t understand why He allows the things that happen to us as children!! Especially because they affect us throughout life!!! I know it seems the enemy is distracting us, that if I would just pray more, read the Bible more, let go and let God more than all His promises will come to pass….He has cared for me, I have more on the outside than many but inside my heart and soul aches with so many things…I have spent 30 years in Counseling, in treatment, in and out of 12 step Recovery meetings…I have been on countless anti depressants, I can go on and on with the many things I have done or tried to just let Jesus in and do for me…I am my own worst enenmy and beat myself up for just not getting it…I believe it comes down to all the childhood years and the feelings on not being loved, accepted for me, the rejection, the fear and the “it’s better now, everything is going to be better”, only to have it not be so. WHat am I doinmg wrong in this world, I am humbling myself constantly before the Lord, I am doing all the “right things’…I have poured my heart out to Him and yet i fall short…My childhood did major damage to me and I have done everything I know how to be of a sound mind and I am still so broken…I dont know whats left but Jesus come and take me home….
What a wonderful prayer Renee sent through email and something to strive for…..Stop Worrying….Start Praying…Talking to God….that is my favorite part because He is such a good listener even when it is the same thing over and over. Such as give my pain to God get impatient take it back try to fix it, can’t then remember oh yeah give it to God……I think many can relate to the cycle. But I think this might be easy to remember Stop worrying, Start talking (praying) to the One who is always there no matter how many times and remembering to thank Him. I can remember a time when I was very depressed and I would make myself look at the blue skies, any flowers growing nearby, puffy white clouds, etc. anything that would remind me that God makes beautiful things even me and you! God’s peace and blessings to all.
I saw a sign in Oklahoma probably twenty years ago that I have never forgotten, the sign said, “Worry is sin in disguise!” Somedays I forget to cast my burdens on the Lord. Somedays, that is all that I do. My problem with worry, is that I then do not always wait on God to fix the concern. I am a “Fix-it-fox, can any one relate. I am trying to learn to listen to my younger son but not to fix his problems. So with that, I will encourage you with 1 Peter 5:7. Blessings… Diana
Like so many of you, worry has been an almost constant struggle for me. I’ve written out Philippians 6-7 by my computer and find so much comfort and truth in it. But I am amazed by how quickly the world and my fears can steal that peace away from my heart. I have an ongoing struggle with depression which flares up and distorts my thoughts leading me into a place of darkness and lies. For me, spending time in God’s Word is the only way to come back from that and I am so thankful for the insights Renee and so many of you have shared. I pray that He will continue His healing work in each of our lives.
Praying for you today Sandee – praying that every time you feel worry rising and your heart/mind racing Jesus will remind you of the three steps I shared in the video – to Stop worrying, Start praying [talking to God instead of talking to yourself :-)] and Keep thanking God for what He has done and what He will do as you trust Him more than your thoughts about all that concerns you.
If you haven’t seen the video, I hope you will watch it and also consider getting a cross for your desk and your bedside and use the concern cards to cast your cares upon HIM!!
Claiming, praying and believing HIS Promises for you today!
What a wonderful tangible gift from God to show me His presence as He lifts me once more out of the darkness. Thank you and God bless your caring heart. You are a blessing to so many. 🙂
I have been up all night praying and worrying about my son who has left home in anger. My heart is breaking and as you said, yes, i’m wondering if God really cares while at the same time knowing He does. I am thankful for your message today and I am reading and rereading chapter 9 and trying to find the peace that He has for me. I know He loves my son even more than I do. Please pray for me to be able to find the peace in knowing He will take care of my son and turn his life back to the Lord.
Lord Jesus please surround Janetta’s heart with your peace that surpasses her understanding of what is going on and why this is happening. Her heart is so heavy with love and concern for her son. It’s so hard as a mom to let go and entrust our children to you when they mean so very much to us. But Jesus today we acknowledge that YOU are God and we are not. Our children are yours and as they grow older we have to entrust them into Your mighty capable hands. It’s hard but we also know that worrying doesn’t change anything – only prayer and YOU can.
I pray that Janetta’s son would choose YOU. Intervene and interrupt his day with Your plans and show HIM yourself. Break the chains that are holding him and do what ever it takes to turn his heart to You alone. Heal his anger and bring him to a place of surrender.
In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus, Amen!
What a wonderful message and what a difficult topic! I’m trying more and more to turn my worry over to God because I worry about everything. I just have such a hard time of actually letting go of it, but I am making some progress. I was particularly stressed this past Sunday doing a couple of things that were outside my comfort zone. I just had to keep praying and let him take it from me to get through it and I was fine. I’ve not had a chance to read through Chapter 9 yet but I’m looking forward to getting into it and hopeful to be able to make progress with letting go of worry and letting God handle it. Thanks, Renee for your message today. Have a blessed day!
.I am the caregiver for my elderly mother and I worry about her all the time, I’m also single with no children. I have a younger sister but she doesn’t care about my mother or I and I’ve being having to take care of mother alone. I feel overwhelmed sometimes in meeting her needs and my own and in trying to juggle finances, work, and my mother’s care sometimes I feel overwhelmed I don’t have a life of my own. I love my mother dearly, and taking care of her has been a blessing in many ways, but sometimes I wish I had larger support systems that I have now… I wish I had more friends. I am looking to relocate to another are where I can find a better support system, but I can’t quit the job that I have now without finding one in the area I wish to relocate. Please pray for us. Pay that God will hear our prayers to move this area where we feel we will find a larger support system
I just said a prayer for you that the Lord will meet your needs Phillip 4:19 and comfort you at this time with grace and mercy. Also that the Lord would send some caring and Godly friends your way to help you feel connected socially and not so alone. Psalm 84:11 Psalm 68:11 Your willingness to take care of your mom I know is honoring to God and He is pleased withyour service.
Psalm 62, Psalm 68:19 Psalm138 ( My personal favorite 🙂
This is my first year back in the classroom as a kindergarten teacher.. Oh what a year.. I have had concerns after concerns but God has been faithful to meet my needs through Godly relationships and co workers .. but I have had some dry spots along the way.. I had to wait on the Lord and His timing for prayers to be answered and trust his provision and care along the way. I Peter 5 :7
Angela
May the Lord bless and provide for all your and mother’s needs.
Today’s message was truly my life a year ago. I lost my job last year in February due to a company re-organization and the worry set in. I felt like my world was going to come to an end. I was unemployed for an entire year before God placed me in the spot he wanted me to be. In the beginning I kept telling God I couldn’t believe this was happening and expecting him to immediately “fix” everything. What I didn’t know was that once I finally gave all my worries over to him completely did he start working in my life. He was actually already working but I was worring so much I didn’t see what he was doing. I had been under so much stress at work that it was effecting my health and time with my family. My husband and I kept saying that I really needed to look for a new job, but the unknown and at my age of starting a new job was scary. God thought differently and I truly believe he had a plan in me losing my job. I had the entire summer off to go camping and reconnect with Him, my husband and my son. The time off also allowed me to spend extra time with my grandparents who are getting very close to going home to our amazing Father. I will cherish that time with them and would have not had it if I would not have lost my job. I thank God everyday for me losing my job as the things I gained out weigh the things I lost. Me losing my job has actually allowed me to stop worrying so much, praying more and thanking God for what I do have in my life. Your message was right on this morning!!!!
Missy,
Your testimony is amazing. I lost my job last January due to restructuring. It’s been 14 months and I still don’t have a job. My work, too, was high stress as a medical office administrator. My health had been affected. I knew God placed me there 10 years earlier, but I also know that God wanted me to leave and I didn’t have the faith to trust Him. My prayer today is “Thank you God for my current job situation. It may have taken me by surprise, but it didn’t surprise YOU. I wait with anticipation to discover the plan that You have for me”. Through this last year of unemployment, God has changed my heart and given me a desire to help other women walking through this season of life. I would love to hear more of your testimony and some of the specifics of how you handled the emotions of the year. Please feel free to email me at [email protected]. God is so good! God Bless You!
I am so grateful I am not alone in my worry but at the same time it saddens me that we all do worry…As women I believe it is engraved in us on our hearts but it is not what God wants for us…I so identify with all the reasons we worry…i chuckle reading what you wrote Sharon…I am the same way…But, for me it has been that way since i was a child. I start cleaning when i am worried or anxious not even realizing i am doing it. As a child I thought if i cleaned it would make everything OK in my alcoholic parents home…If my mom found a clean house she would love me, soooo now I am still that way…I am tired of worrying about many things, I throw my hands up and let Go and let God…I am weary from the battle and keep pressing on…Praying for all of you my sisters…
I haven’t always been a worrier but I think that it comes with time. I love my husband but he is outwardly very carefree and doesn’t appear to worry about anything so I took all the issues on myself and have become very stressed out about anything and everything. In the last few months, I have been trying to let go of my worry and allow my husband in. We have attended a marriage conference and have started taking some time for ourselves. I have found as I have allowed him in and talked to him about the issue that it may not always fix it but I am not so worried. I also have found that stuff I have worried about have never come to fruition. We have recently changed churches and I have found myself turning to God more and having a new relationship with him now. When I focus on God and the blessings in my day instead of the worry and the trouble all the time, the day is much better and more relaxed. We still have money issues and my kids still have their issues but I feel better able to deal with them and I am a happier person.
Good for you! I think women worry so much more than men. I don’t know why we think it’s our responsibility for everyone’s happiness. There is much to learn in the serenity prayer and there are things we can’t control.
When you get overwhelmed, do concerns ever consume you? If so, what does that look like in your head and heart?
YES! It looks like a swarm of attacking bees…just when you swat one away 3 more come from the other side…
Do you ever catch yourself wondering if God notices everything you are doing?
Or wondering if He cares (which I know is a LIE)…but it feels like it’s true.
Do you ever doubt you can do all He has called you to do? Are there some things in your life He may not expect or want you to be doing?
YES! I have a heart toward LOTS of things…but don’t even know what exactly He is asking of me. Somehow I can’t seem to sort it all out.
And I am so very weary from worry…I would like to make worry a thing of the past…with God all things are possible!
Carla, I will be praying for you that the worry will subside so you will not be weary. It is so emotionally draining to worry. You said it in With God All things are possible.
I can’t believe that worry is what we are studying on this week. This is exactly what my pastor preached on Sunday. He even used the same scripture. I know from experience that worry solves nothing. It is still hard for me not to worry but I do think I have grown in this area. I truly believe that God will take care of me. I may not have it easy in this world but I know that I’m going to spend eternity with God and then all these things in this world won’t matter. Thank you God for all my blessings as I don’t deserve any of them. I pray that I can let you give me confidence to face whatever this world throws at me. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus (John 16:33)
Dear LORD, Linda is asking that You would grant her confidence to overcome anything that comes her way. That she would have peace in the midst of all that is going on around her. LORD, I agree with her in prayer regarding these things she is asking. Father, grant that she would know You even more…know Your love even more…that it would be the fulness of her life, that guides her, encourages her and strengthens her. That her confidence in Your love would be so firm, so solid that nothing of this world would move her gaze from Your loving face! Help her to do more than she asks or thinks….because of Your great love and power. For You are strong and You O Lord are loving! In Jesus’ mighty name…Amen!
In the beginning of this year I was totally consumed by fear and worry. So many things were new for us and I just didn’t know how to make a single thing come into place and work for all parties concerned. It got so bad, it felt as if I could climb out of my own skin and pull out all my hair. I wasn’t thinking about God at all, my doubt was too big at that moment. But then on my way home after another plan I was trying to make, God whispers loud enough in my ear the plan that has been in front of me this whole entire time!! I couldn’t believe I didn’t see it there!! I was stressing, huffing and puffing all around it…. Well let me tell you, after that I decided, NO MORE WORRYING for me!! I’ve had it!! I cannot control one single thing in this world and I don’t like the way the struggle makes me feel and giving the devil an open doorway as well. I made a conscious decision to let God take over and I will just let Him do what He does best! Plan and organise my life!! I love not having to stress and fall into an anxiety-hole! He WILL take care of us, His Word is full of the promises that He wants to do these things for us!! Praise God for never failing us!
Renee, I really liked the video. It hits home oh so well. I to am guilty of worrying way to much. I like the short 3 statements to stop worrying, start praying and keep thanking God. I am going to remember this though the week when my worries pop up. It is hard not to worry. I have been working on this diligently the past few weeks. Trying to give them to God and concentrate on His promises instead.
I also found comfort in the verse you gave in Philippians 4:6-7.
I am going to make an index card of it and read it though the week. In fact, I think this would be a good one to memorize.
Those 3 statements reached out to me as well. I have been also trying to let go of worry. Only thing is I didn’t consider it worry and it was effecting me and my health. I thank God for an opportunity to see what it was doing to me. I’m praying God will continue to work with me and on me as I remember these three statements. I know that God will help me. I’m praying for you Margie.
Needed to hear this powerful message today; than you.
Lord, I pray for Sharon that she can feel Your promises in her heart. Lord shrink the 18 inches from her head to her heart and let her know You first in her life. Let us all pray Your promises and believe as we pray.
Renee, I truly believe that so much of believing as we pray comes from being still and listening. We are so often too busy trying to be the glue, when all God wants is our attention, then He will glue us, and our lives, together.
I don’t have your book to read, but I am participating through the blog and the videos. Thank you for your faithfulness in leading us closer to Him. Lord, I pray Your blessings on Renee and on this ministry, thank you for touching so many in this way.
My worries? Oh, yes, I worry with the best of them! I worry what others think of me, the person. I worry about what the man I am in relationship with thinks of me, what he wants from me, where we are at in our relationship, and I worry that I will screw it up! I do think I am trying too hard.
Yes, today I will do my best to lay these worries down. This scripture is perfect for me today. I hear God saying to me: if you tell this to one more person! He sounds like an exasperated parent in my ears. So, Renee, thank you, thank you. And girls, let’s all do this together! And Lord, I thank you in advance for the results that WILL come of Your promises made to me today!! Bless you, Renee!
When I am troubled with worry, I stand in awe at God’s beautiful creation. Even more… that He allows us to see it in color! It is here that I feel a release from my troubles.
I struggle with no one in the household can effectively clean a house like me. This causes undo stress that I have to take ownership for. Goodness…I remember a dear friend coming to the house telling me “honey you keep such a clean house I don’t feel I can breathe in it”! Now that it bad…
Renee~ I can see that God is slowly transforming me from the inside out as I pray His promises. I have known many of His promises but didn’t get them from my head to my heart until I began working through this Bible study and began praying them.
This video spoke to me because I am the queen of worry. I feel like that alot and I can relate to page 162 of the book – But If I Don’t Worry, Who Will? lol I am working on letting God take care of all things. I pray about something, then I take it back. Chapter 9 so far is so good. I love this book. Blessings to you, Renee.
enjoyed your video today. I would like to thank god more for what he has done for me through out my life.
Chapter 9 speaks to my biggest problem: WORRY. I must say though that in the past 6 months I have drawn closer to God as I have been thru many storms in the past year. God had remained faithful thru it all. I am the glue that keeps my family together, but I really do think that many women are. Sometimes I wonder if anyone including God notices how much I do to help others lives easier. By the end of my day, which is my quiet time with God…..I can hear him speak to me and calm my anxious heart. I am now trying to take more God breaks during the day so that when I start to get overwhelmed I know that I just need to take a deep breath and speak to or praise God thru that anxious time. YOu know it works too!!! Thank you Renee for the videos, they are very inspiring to me.
I can so agree with you. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and I have definitely been given a handful in the past year but we have to cast our worries on Him and let go. Sometimes I find myself revisiting an issue and realize I’m into worry again. Great video and reminder!
This video is so timely . Worrying will not help me but create more problems.Thank you for tips .
God Bless.