We know this verse, right? We've said it hundreds of times. It may be on a plaque in our house or on a shirt we wear. Our pastor has preached on it. We've committed it to memory. But here's the thing... it has often evaded us.
Now, let me say this... it's okay (and natural) to have concerns. Concerns can be a good thing. But the difference between worry and having concerns is that concerns bring you to the Lord with arms open wide. Concerns just make you pray harder. Worry goes deeper... it's an inner turmoil that can bring on anxiety and sleepless nights. Worry torments us and keeps us from hearing God's voice. Worry takes over our life. Believe it or not, the Bible conveys worry as a lack of trust in God's providence and care.
When my heart was beating at 14% and I was given the diagnosis of congestive heart failure, my sister asked me: "Sheryl, aren't you afraid that you'll go to sleep at night and not wake up?" I said, "NO, not at all. Because if I do die in my sleep, I'll be immediately with the Lord. And I can't think of anything better than that." But really... it never crossed my mind. Why? Because I trust in God's sovereign rule in my life.
It's natural to have concerns about our kids... maybe the destructive path they're on, or the friends they're associating with, or the views they may have, or the fact that they have no regard for God. It's natural to have concerns about your finances, a friend's troubled marriage, or health woes. But it's important we don't let those concerns turn into worry. And this verse tells us how we can keep that from happening... by praying. Pray about EVERYTHING.
So, when you feel worry creeping up, PRAY! Peter writes to "Cast all your cares upon Him" (1 Peter 5:8). Hope these words encourage you today and that you'll take some to reflect upon this verse and be careful to apply it.