What to Do with Worry

When you hear of terrible things going on in your community and around the world, you may find yourself feeling uneasy or afraid. By way of a question, Jesus reminds us of the needlessness of anxiety: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27).

Whether rich or poor, and everyone in between, our attitude toward material possessions is the clearest indication of our spiritual temperature. When we are more concerned about our worldly possessions—our homes, our cars, our education, our clothes, or our bank accounts—than our relationship with Christ, we will be anxious and fearful. When we practice daily surrender—of our fears, anxieties, and desires—to Christ, we will find inner peace. God has promised to provide for all our needs according to His riches in Jesus (see Philippians 4:19). When those who love Jesus become anxious and worried (and we all do at some point), it is because we have temporarily forgotten who our heavenly Father is. Sometimes we forget the privileges we have as children of the King of the universe. We can trust that God is working all things for the good of His children. We can trust that our future is secure and all our deepest longings will be satisfied. For now, we often must wait.

Only the Father knows why we must wait. If you are eager to move on to the next stage of life or if you are praying for healing, restoration, or the salvation of a friend, know that God’s purpose is served when you wait on Him (see Psalm 37:7, 40:1; Lamentations 3:26).

God has already prepared the solution for your anxieties and worries—now He is doing a work to prepare you for His answer. Wait on Him, listen to His voice, and submit to His direction. Do not be anxious, seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, and He will provide for your every need (see Matthew 6:33).

Prayer: Father, help me to daily surrender my fears, anxieties, and desires to You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.