I don’t know how much of my life has been spent worrying, especially about my kids. It’s like children should come with a warning label when we birth them: Welcome to the uncomfortable world of maternal anxiety.
When they were little, I worried about our kids health, about their education, about the choices they would make as teens. I worried about run-of-the-mill low-level risks like riding their bikes without helmets and knee pads. I worried about the high-level-risks they would make about their faith, their jobs, and their mates, all of which would impact their whole life trajectory.
I thought my worries would lessen as the kids got older, but the jokes on me. Not only does my brow furrow for them; now I worry about their plus-ones and our grand babies from age 6 to 3 weeks and even the one who’s still in the womb. I worry for my dad who’s in his 80’s and for my husband’s changing needs.
Worry is all around me.
In the last few years I’ve come to understand something; worry won’t change reality.
I’m not saying I’ve been cured of my fretting, but I am confident in where to go for answers when fear comes knocking.
God is my refuge and strength, and an ever present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).
There’s a lot going on in our world today. I often worry over business, health concerns, and loved ones. Things can easily get me anxious. But Matthew 6:27 reminded me this morning, “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?”
When I worry, I’m saying that the devil has the kind of power over my life that God can’t protect me from.
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
1 John 4:4
The best thing I can offer my family and friends is to be a woman who leans on Jesus no. matter. what. When troubles come at me, I have to fix my eyes on Him.
“To expel worry from our heart, we need to grow deeper roots of trust in God.”
I need to be a woman who trusts God, regardless of life’s ups and downs. How I believe determines everything about the way I live.
Worry will come, so I’ve written these reminders to help me when they do.
1. Remember to pray.
2. Believe God.
3. Meditate on Scripture.
God has a plan for my life. I want to trust it. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.
Thank you for this encouragement! I couldn’t agree more and definitely couldn’t have said it better!