Worry Not

“‘And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?’” Luke 12:25 ESV

Yesterday I experienced a moment of growth and a reminder to not worry. I was reviewing a powerpoint for a three-hour webinar I was scheduled to facilitate in the afternoon and the file became corrupted. I’m talking all changes lost, inability to save. I needed to start from scratch!

Old me would have cried my eyes out. I had a moment where I almost went there too. The thoughts that raced through my mind included: “I don’t have enough time to redo all of this content.” “My presentation is going to be a bust.” I even thought I was going to get in trouble once my boss heard the bad report. Distress washed over me like a flood.

Then there was a shift in my thoughts. Thank God! The narrative and self-talk that played in my head changed. I reminded myself that crying about it won’t change a thing at this point, and that I needed to do my best to recreate the material before the presentation time. Unknowingly, I took my thoughts captive and made them obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). 

You see the thing that we often forget when we’re going through is that God sees us right where we are in that moment. Proverbs 15:13 records that “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” There’s nothing that we’re experiencing that He does not know about. God sees all of our steps. (Job 31:4)

Perhaps you have the urge to cry weekly regarding your job because it seems like the situation won’t get better. Or maybe there’s a broken relationship in your life and reconciliation seems like it will not happen this lifetime. Perhaps with every passing week, you’re looking at your finances hoping to make ends meet. Or even there’s a report from the doctor that seems bleak. Maybe you’re starting a new chapter in life or a new venture and the task seems daunting.

Wherever you are, no matter how overwhelmed you may feel, be reminded that God will never leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t lose hope. Cry it out if you have to; the Bible records that God bottles each of our tears (Psalm 56:8).  Then remind yourself that our God is Jehovah Shammah, the God who is there (Ezekiel 48:35) and He delivers us from all of our troubles (Psalm 34:17).

REFLECTION

What situations am I facing in life that seem overwhelming? How can I take my thoughts captive and flip the script? What truths about God do I need to remind myself?

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for always being there. Forgive me of the times I thought I was going through life alone. Help me to walk in the truth of Your character knowing that You only want what is best for me and that trouble does not last always. Send Your Spirit to comfort and encourage me in the tough times. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash