How Can We Stop Worry? Step One – Agree God Cares

In this series titled “How Big is Your But?” I’ve spent a lot of time discussing the problem and trying to get us to think about the excuses we may not even realize we’ve rationalized. It’s about time I get onto giving you the practical spirituality for this
thing called life.

You can stop worrying and being afraid. Jesus wasn’t worried with the weather, the people, the miracles that had to happen…He walked in peace and that peace is yours. Here’s how you can get it.

1. Agree that God Cares for You

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Agree with the fact He cares. It’s only because He cares that you don’t have to worry or focus on fear. Meditate on it. See it in your life. Ask God to reveal how He cares for you and take the time to look for it.

Be like Joshua who stayed in the presence of God even after the lights were turned off. You can’t do that if you’re worried He’s going to zap you with leprosy or open up the ground and swallow you up. Joshua knew the presence of God. He knew His holiness. He knew His glory. He knew God could be trusted to care for them. You can learn that as well by being in the presence of God.

Jesus that He taught us:

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,  yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:25-34 (New Living Translation)

God is taking care of you. He is providing you with everything you’re willing to receive. You become more willing to receive when you soak in the love of the Father.

I’ve been lately challenged by

1 Corinthians 9:14 (NIV)
In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

And have been struck by the fact we don’t “earn” our living, but we receive our living. Do you receive a life without worry? Do you receive a life without fear?

When you’re willing to receive it, you’re willing to pray about everything, you’re willing to trust that God cares for you. You’re willing to stop worry and fear by being thankful.

How do you get willing? Get to know your good God. Spend time meditating on His care for you. Let Him embrace you with His love.

Has knowing God cares for you changed how you worry? Love to hear about it.

photo credit: rarebeasts