Don’t Worry

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Even If….

5th May

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

There is an old famous Hymn, written in 1887 by a man named John H. Sammis, that is simply titled ‘Trust and Obey’. This precious hymn really does sum up this wonderful scripture we read in today’s key verse, epitomised by the chorus lyrics that say, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”. Both Sammis, the writer of Romans and many other mighty men and women of God, have all come to the truth, that there is no other way, but to trust God and obey Him. We can try and do things our own way, and that may be ok for a while. But if we want to find true joy and peace, there is only one way, to trust and obey.

Matthew, in his account of the beatitudes of Jesus, tells us that we shouldn’t worry about anything, because God firstly already knows what we think, but most importantly, because He is our provider. Jesus says plainly and clearly affirms this truth in Matthew 6:25 “.. I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.” Yet if we are honest our natural tendency is to lead our lives in our own strength.

Trusting the Lord, is both allowing Him to lead your life, but also walking hand in hand with Him as He guides your path. It is an attitude that says, ‘even if things don’t go the way I had planned, I will still trust that my life is in Your hands’. Just as the writer of Romans says, ‘I pray that you will be filled with joy and peace, BECAUSE you trust in Him!’

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Don’t Worry

8th June

“Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”

Matthew 6:27

Sometimes Bible translators can’t agree on the meaning of a text. For instance, in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus advises against worry. It’s the practical reason He gave that translators can’t agree on. He either said that worrying won’t add to your height (NKJV, The Message) or won’t add to your lifespan (NIV, NASB). Fortunately, both translations mean the exact same thing: Worry changes nothing and accomplishes nothing. You can’t grow taller or live longer by worrying.

Actually, worrying does accomplish something in a Christian’s life: Worry calls into question the sincerity of one’s profession of faith. Worry is not only ineffective, it seem irreligious. It gives the appearance that the “worrier” is indifferent to the role of a sovereign God. If we profess our faith in a loving God who cares for our life, and then worry about how life might turn out, what does that say? That’s why Jesus said, instead of worrying, to focus on God and His kingdom. When we focus on what we know about God, what we don’t know about the future pales in significance.

Are you worried about anything today? If so, put your faith in the One who cares for all His creation—including you.1 Don’t worry about anything but instead put your hope in Jesus Christ!

1Taken from Turning Point’s Daily Devotionals

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A Personal Note

28th -29th November

Weekend Edition

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.”

1 Peter 5:7

Have you ever had someone say something to you to ease your fears and bring peace to your anxiety? It is such a great feeling right? Yesterday, as I was pondering over a few stressful situations in my life, God lead me to notice this verse again. It is a very familiar verse and one which I am sure many Sunday school children have grown up to memorise. Yet it’s the simple truth that powerfully spoke to me yesterday. Stop worrying, give your anxieties to God, and let Him take care of them because He cares about you.

The words are so simple, yet so deep and profound. When we take the focus off our situation and hand our worries and anxieties to God, it seriously feels like a massive burden being lifted off our shoulders. Every time our worries try to creep up again, we can take courage that they are at the foot of the cross and that they are in our God’s loving and kind arms.

It is a simple passage that we should never forget. They are not just empty words or a verse to make us feel good about ourselves. They are words of truth and power. We really do not have to worry about anything. If we give our worries to God, then we must also trust that He will take care of them and that He is in control. This weekend, if something is worrying you or causing you stress, cast your cares to Him, know that He cares about you and wants to take your burdens from you!