In my P31 devotion today, I talked about finding God’s peace in the midst of our worries. I love that verse in Matthew 11:28 where Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” The word weary is so close to the word worry. And if I’m honest with myself, worry makes me weary! It weighs me down and wears me out – mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally.
So what should we do with our worries? Jesus invites us to come to Him when we are weary from all our worries and burdens so He can give our minds a place to rest.
God showed me a tangible way to take my worries to Jesus through a conversation with my son. One morning I was getting ready when Andrew came to me and announced that he didn’t want to have ANY anxious thoughts that day – he didn’t want to worry about me being home when he got off the school bus, or about his teacher liking his science project, or about whether his dad would get in a car accident.
That morning as I listened, I sensed the enemy was using worry as a weapon to still, kill and destroy my child’s joy, hope and peace. Although I couldn’t take my child out of the battle, I could equip him for it! I wanted to give him the confidence he needed to fight courageously so I assured him that worry is kinda normal. I reasoned that it must be a normal part of life since God tells us not to so many times in the Bible.
But God also tells us what to do when we do worry. I shared 2 Corinthians 10:5 where Paul tells us to demolish all arguments and any pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, by taking every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. Now I just needed to take that concept and put it in terms he could understand.
“Andrew, when you have a thought that makes you feel anxious, catch it like it’s a baseball.” I then cupped my hand like I was holding a ball and told him to look at it and ask, “Is this something Jesus would say to me?” If the answer is “no” – then throw that thought back into the outfield! Then we talked through some of his thoughts and fears:
Worry says: “Your mom isn’t going to be here when you get home.”
I asked him, “Would Jesus say that? Andrew replied, “No.”
Then it’s outta here!
Worry says: “Your teacher isn’t going to like your science project!”
Would Jesus say that? Again, “No.”
Get rid of that one, too.
When we finished talking through each worry, I shared Philippians 4:6-9 and we prayed – telling God Andrews concerns, asking Him to replace his worries with promises, and thanking God for what He’s done in the past and would do that day. After the Amen, Andrew looked at me, smiled so big and said, “Thanks Mom!” as though all his worries were gone.
God’s word really works. God knew we’d have lots of reasons for worry but he also knew that worry would be Satan’s weapon to distract and destroy the peace and joy that is rightly ours as children of God! Worry can ruin our day and our life, can’t it? That’s why Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled but to come to Him. He wants to replace our worries with His words. He says He’ll give our minds a place to rest and promises to keep us in perfect peace when our mind is steadfast (fixed in a direction, firmly established) on His truth because we trust in Him and not our troubles.
So, what thoughts are flying at you today? If you were to catch ’em and listen to what they’re saying – would they match what Jesus says? I would love to know what kinds of worries you’re dealing with so we can pray for each other. Mine are mostly about my kids and doing something hard that God’s called me to do. I’m learning that it’s not just about throwing our thoughts out, it’s about replacing our worries with God’s words. I”ll be back tomorrow to share more on that.
This week’s theme on worry is great timing since I’m giving away a copy of my friend Micca’s new book, “An Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Greater than all My Fears“. For a chance to win, leave a comment under today’s post and for extra chance leave one on any of this week’s posts. Yesterday, I wrote about releasing my grip and not getting worried when God changes my plans. Tomorrow I’ll talk about using God’s Word as our weapon to demolish arguments and worries that set themselves up against the truth about Him! See you then.
PS. Be sure to include your email so I can contact you if you win.
Copyright 2009, Renee Swope – All rights reserved.
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I just love this story! Good stuff, good stuff! I particularly needed to be reminded not to worry this morning. That, my friend, was a God thing!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
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Worrying has never been a struggle for me..until recently. My husband works for Nortel. So if you have seen the news any lately you know of my worrries now. I have been a stay at home mom for 14 years and his job is our only income.
Thank you for sharing this today, just what I needed.
God is perfect! In our office there was a little shake up yesterday. Our boss announced that there are going to be some changes in our office with certain processes. She didn’t know all the details so she could only share what she knew. That left plenty of room for the enemy to seep in and cause concern which within minutes turned into worry about losing jobs. I came into work this morning and here was your Proverbs 31 devotion! I shared it with the five women in our office that this change will effect. Thank you so much for following what God has called you to do. I thank God for everything that He has done in my life and know without a doubt he will provide for myself, my family and my coworkers.
God is perfect!
JoAnn
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Being a girl who deals with worry and fear A LOT – I need all the encouragement I can get about this topic 🙂 I’m looking forward to hearing about using God’s Word as my weapon tomorrow!
Thanks so much,
Kate 🙂
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Thank you so much for your words of encouragement today. I am a “worrier” and a “fixer” and your devotion was exactly what God wanted me to hear today. I love the thought of pitching back my worries. Thank you, what a blessing you’ve been to me today.
Lynn
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Thank you for the encouragement and putting it in such simple terms. “Throwing” away the thoughts that Jesus would not say is such a simple analogy that all of us busy, harried souls can lock onto!
Cathy
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A untroubled heart Wow what a awesome thought. My heart has been so full of worries and fears for solong I find it hard to grasp the thought of what it would be like. I would love to read this book.
This is the first time I have visited your sight and I guess the Lord sent me here. I have had some major issues in my life. I had a need in my life and had been praying about it but, I felt like the Lord was not hearing my prayers. I strongly desire and desperately need to feel God’s peace in my life. I plan on checking you site daily. It has already touched my life. Thank You
Thank you for these words. I am a worrier (and oh I wish I wasn’t). It is like a thought gets in my mind and I just obsess on this and nothing else. Prayer does help me as does reading scriptures. It does feel good to know God gives me (and my mind)rest from these thoughts. Thanks for the reminder. God Bless, Melissa
Dear Renee,
Wow, my devotion this morning was about worrying. I read Luke 12:22-34. I know the Lord is speaking to me about this, especially with your devotion and blog today.
Bless you,
Deborah
Thank you Renee! I needed to read your devotion and blog this morning. There is so much in going on in our lives right now as we wait for direction for the next step in Seminary and plans for the future, but I want to learn to wait being peace-full and not worrisome. I appreciate you sharing God’s truth with us and giving us a practical example. Have a great day.
Robin
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Renee! Oh my goodness… last Friday night in a Bible Study for The Most Excellent Way (mostexcellentway.org), I talked about John 10:10… how the devil is the thief that comes to steal and kill and destroy, but that Jesus Christ came to give us life… an abundant life, not a partial life, but a full, ABUNDANT life… woohoo! Isn’t that exciting. I will be praying for your son; I have a daughter who “worries about stuff like that too…” I appreciate you.
Renee,
Your mentioning of II Cor. 10 really struck a chord with me this morning especially.
See, I clung to that verse so strongly while Nick was fighting cancer….when doubt and fear would slip in while waiting for the next bit of news, the next diagnosis.
It’s been three whole months now since we lost our precious Nick and just yesterday I had the biggest meltdown…..we gave Nick’s ramp to a friend who needed it, and it just devastated me to see it go.
This morning I woke up feeling blue. Determined to dive into the Word and make this day count and I read your devo (thank you) and then I came here and was reminded of a verse that still holds the SAME power….the SAME hope…the SAME promise!
The devil wants me to doubt God’s faithfulness, His love, His ability to answer prayer. But my knowledge of God says something very different. God is faithful. God does love me (and Nick!) and my family, and He answers prayers…in accordance with His will and to carry out His plans.
Leaning on Him and Turning my Back on anything that sets itself up against the Knowledge of God!
Love you and thank you,
Tammy
Thank you for this devotion, Renee. It confirms what God has been speaking to my heart lately. The application steps on your Proverbs31 blog are a great idea that I’ll be doing today.
Bless you,
Margaret
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Thank you for the blessing of your worry-less devotion! It touched my heart in a very special way. I love the baseball analogy for your son. I plan to share this with my 13 year old tonight. I know that he also has worries that I wish he would not have at his age.
May God continue to bless you and your family.
Ellen
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Wow Renee! Just what I needed and this whole house needed this week. We all (4 of us) have a lot on each of our plates.
I am taking my list of concerns to God and letting Him give us peace. He has done so much for us in the past, trusting Him for the future as well.
Perfect timing – perfect devotional.
Thanks!! 🙂
Dear sweet Renee,
Your devotion and blog today comforted my heart so much. I have so many potential worries pressing in on each side right now, and I feel your comments were meant just for me.
Thank you for touching my heart and allowing the Lord to use you to remind me of his unfailing love, his precious promises and his mighty care and grace.
Blessings,
Maria
God is working on my fears and worries in so many ways lately – working on my total surrender. I fail so often in doing that. Your devotion and blog are just one of the tools God is using in my life, right now, today! Thank you!
Your devotion really helped today. My husband has a doctor’s appointment, which we know will be bad news. But with God, we can do anything. Thank you for your comforting words this morning.
You put worry in a whole new light. I am a chronic worrier and this blog and devotion are just what I needed to put worry in perspective. God is truly working through you.
Thank you and God Bless,
Shannon
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