Today’s devotion builds on the thoughts from Sunday’s Sermon – Week 6 of “Fan or Follower – Worry Less” (LISTEN HERE).
Stop worrying!
Ok, that’s easy to say and hard to do. I pray this week’s message and devotions have helped a little bit.
A technique called “visualization” helps to catch a glimpse of a future reality while we are engaged in the present. When you set a goal, you visualize yourself accomplishing that goal. When you practice a sport, you visualize yourself succeeding at that shot, kick, or swing.
Visualize your life with less worry…or no worry…not because you just choose to give up and not care, but because, with the Lord’s help, you’ve replaced worry with trust.
Picture three things.
- When I worry less, by body is healthier and more rested.
Jesus invites us come to him with our worries, concerns and anxieties. As he carries them, our soul and our body can rest more fully. Rest supports physical health, improves mood and memory, and restores your energy.
Matthew 11:28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
2. When I worry less, my mind is at peace.
Worry keeps our mind active with concern and anxiety. Worry leads our minds to imagine worst case scenarios. Worry wakes us up at night as our mind tries to figure out the future or engages in concern of the present. Jesus desires our minds to be at peace. So he invites us to take whatever we are worried about and give it to him.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Philippians 4:6-7″Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
3. When I worry less, I can better carry out my purpose.
When we worry about things of this world, we lose sight of our purpose and Jesus’ promise. Our purpose is to live for Jesus. His promise is that when we put him first, all the earthly things we worry about will be taken care of as well. To worry less is to love God more. Perhaps more than that is that when we worry less we trust God more. And when we worry less we find our purpose in Him more.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
So, ask the Lord to forgive your worry and replace it with trust. Find the rest, peace and purpose found in Jesus as we let him take care of the things of this life and simply put him first and follow him.
Apply: What blessing of worrying less can you visualize increasing in your life? What does it look like?
A way to process worry is through journaling. Here’s a resource of questions that perhaps can be helpful to spark your thoughts and allow you to process worry and replace it with trust. https://www.thescribesportion.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/marchjournal.pdf
Prayer: Father, forgive my worry. Replace it with trust. Grant me the blessing of physical and spiritual rest, peace in my heart, and purpose in my life as I worry less and trust you more. AMEN.