Tag: worry

Cast Your Cares

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

We have to remember that God tells us to give Him our worries . We must choose to hand all of our worries over to Him. When we don’t, then we will end up being weighed down as we try to carry our heavy burdens on our own.

Giving our worries to the Lord means we will have to trust Him. We learn to trust Him through the situations we go through in life, that allow us to see His faithfulness to us. We must pray and ask God to help us to give Him our worries and trust Him.

We don’t just need to trust God when bad things happen. We also need to trust Him with the good things that are going on in our lives. Even in good times, we need Him to sustain us and direct us. He must always be our focus.

Whenever I find myself worrying, I know my focus is no longer on God. Instead I have taken my eyes off of Him, and have mentally started trying to figure out how “I” will work things out. God wants us to turn our worries into prayers and trust “Him” to work things out, not ourselves or other people.

God does use people to help us, but even when He does, we must remember that He is our True Source. He is our Provider, not people. People are vessels He uses. Every good and perfect gift comes from our Father in heaven (James 1:17).

Psalm 55:22 NIV, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Choose to cast your cares on the Lord. Allow Him to carry your burdens because He cares for you.

In Jesus Christ We Gain

1 Timothy 6:6 NIV, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

I have come to realize that I am most content when I choose to simply trust God. Trusting in Him, brings me to a peaceful place that is free from anxiety and fear. Both anxiety and fear cause us to take our eyes off of Christ, and instead put them on the things or people that we cannot control.

Jesus definitely set the ultimate example of contentment for us. He chose to walk in the purpose God had for him. He didn’t allow himself to be distracted by what was going on around him. As a matter of fact, when his parents became anxious because they could not find him, he said…

“Why were you searching for me?”….“Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)

He definitely knew how to keep his eyes on God and not get sidetracked. We must do the same. The truth of God’s Word will keep us growing in godliness. Godliness will lead us to contentment because our hearts will become more and more thankful for who God is and all that He has done. We will see things from His perspective, instead of the worlds.

In Christ we gain, because nothing can compare to the privilege of knowing Him…

Philippians 3:8 NIV, “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”

Jesus Christ Never Changes

Hebrews 13:8 NIV, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

I’m very thankful that our Savior remains the same. His unchanging nature gives us a solid foundation. We can rely completely on Him to be who He says He is, and do what He has promised to do.

The world is ever changing. We can look back and easily see how much the world has changed over the years. We never know what to expect from day to day. But God and His Word are constant. We can rest knowing He will never forsake us and that He will faithfully take care of us. In Jesus Christ our future is secure. His love remains the same.

Nothing we encounter takes our Lord by surprise. He will walk with us and hold our hand through all things. We can put our complete confidence in Him. Regardless of what you are facing, may the peace of God guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus as you start this new week (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).

God’s Working Things Out

Romans 8:28 NIV, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

This verse is a true expression of God’s sovereignty. When we love Him, and we are dedicated to His purpose, He causes everything in our lives to work together for good. Of course it may not seem like it when we are going through hard times, but everything that happens, both good and bad, are part of His bigger plan. Often times, we have to look back and recall God’s blessings, to better see how He has worked things together for good.

Psalm 77:12 NIV, “I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

The Psalmist took time to meditate on all the mighty things God had done. Doing so wiIl strengthen our faith and trust in God. I know for me, I can look back over my years in the workplace and see numerous times God has worked things out for my good. For example, one time I left a company that had a bad work environment, and shortly after leaving, half of my department was let go. God spared me the drama of having my job snatched away. He knew what was up the road. His timing for me to leave “in advance” was perfect.

With God, none of our experiences are ever wasted. Rather good or bad, He will use them for His glory and our growth. Like the Psalmist, we should take time to meditate on God’s mighty deeds. Then we can be reminded of His goodness and mercy that follow us, each and every day of our lives.

Meditate on His Goodness

But Jesus

During the workday me and my coworkers usually discuss things that are happening in the news. The news can be scary because the world is becoming scary. It’s terrible what so many people around the world, and even in our own neighborhoods and families are going through. Jesus says in the world we will have trouble, BUT to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Psalm 20:7 NIV, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

BUT we trust in the name of the Lord our God. This is our hope. No matter what comes our way, we can say, “BUT, I trust in the name of Jesus.” When we trust in Him, we know that He will take care of our every need. His name is the name that saves. His name is above ever other name. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

I’m thankful that in Christ Jesus regardless of what we see or hear, we have a BUT. Even when we close our eyes and take our last breath someday, it’s not truly over. We will leave this world behind, BUT we will spend eternity seeing Him face to face in all of His glory.

Just remember these two words…

BUT JESUS.

Keep Climbing Higher

Colossians 1:11 NLT, “We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,”

I admit there have been many times that I have questioned how God was working in my life. I have had days where I worried over rather or not He would answer my prayers. I have often let fear creep in and cause me to doubt His provision.

Worry, doubt, and fear have always worked together to try to keep us from enjoying God’s peace. I’ve discovered many times that the things I allow to steal my peace, have already been worked out by God. Reminiscing about His past goodness, will help motivate us to walk by faith right now in the present.

Even if we make mistakes along the way while trying to follow the will of God, He will still take good care of us. Being quick to repent keeps us in close fellowship with Him. When our hearts are devoted to Him, He will work out what is best for us.

His grace and mercy extend far beyond our difficulties. As we persevere through the challenges we face, we are getting stronger in Christ Jesus, and helping to make a difference in the lives of others. If we make Him a priority, He will give us strength to keep climbing higher.

New Day, New Mercy

Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT, “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

So many mornings I have remembered this verse and felt joy. The mercy of Jesus is new every morning. Everyday He gives us a fresh start. Even when we fall into sin, His love, forgiveness, and mercy will meet us right where we are. All we have to do is repent.

When the pressures of life come our way, and our energy is low, He will uphold us. He will give us strength to face the day. He will not allow us to be consumed. Praise the Lord for His new mercies! Great is His faithfulness.