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Why Worry?

Do you remember that old Sunday School song, Why Worry When You Pray? It goes like this:
Why worry when you can pray,
Trust Jesus, He'll be your stay,
Don't be a doubting Thomas,
Rest fully on His promise
Why worry, worry,worry, worry
When you can pray?
 
So simple, yet so difficult. But we have good reasons to worry, don't we?  The world is a terrible place. Lots of bad stuff is happening all around us and sometimes to us. Moms are especially susceptible to worry. Our kids, even when they're adults are a great area of concern for many of us. The future is so uncertain - what if I lose my job, what if the stock market crashes and my IRA tanks?
What if the medical tests I just had come back with bad news? What if I can't pay my bills? The "what ifs" get us so many times. 

We forget that as believers we have have the solid promises of God that cover us. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24-25 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. "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?"

Jesus knew a lot of our worries are about money - usually the lack of it. That worry then spills over into every area of life.

Paul told us in Philippians 4 not to be anxious (worried) about anything, but to pray about it. Why? Because our God is able to supply all of our needs - financially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. He's got all of the resources we'll ever need and more.

But, you say, "I've tried that. It doesn't work." Me too. Worry tends to feed itself and pretty soon we're consumed with it. Our fears become irrational and out-of-control. Anxiety is pretty much about fear and lack of control anyway. Most of our horrible fears never come true--not even close. Lately I've been working on letting go of some of those favorite worries--especially about money. Leaving them at the Throne of Grace is freeing. God keeps His promises. He has not let me down in this experiment of faith. I don't want to be that Doubting Thomas. I want to rest fully in His promises that never fail. Put Him to the test. He'll lead you one step at a time to peace.

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