I know we’re all busy. So many things occupy our thoughts and time. Some seasons are certainly busier than others. I’m in one of those seasons of life right now. With it comes overthinking, under-sleeping, and a good dose of worrying.
When I’ve got a lot going on, I make lists. To-do lists, to-buy lists, fix-it lists, need-to-schedule lists, calls-to-make lists, work lists, family lists, church lists…and on it goes. I even write my lists with a physical pen and paper!
Making lists gives me a psychological sense of accomplishment, like buying office supplies. Somehow it helps me organize my thoughts. It helps me plan, schedule, and efficiently shop at Home Depot. I remember my ideas and solutions. However, one thing writing lists doesn’t help me with is worrying.
What Jesus Tells Us
I’ve never considered myself a person who worried or was anxious. But I’m learning I can hide it when I am. That’s not good. I shouldn’t bury or hide it. The need is to be open and acknowledge it before the Lord. I should absolutely ask for help.
Jesus knows we’re all prone to worry and anxiety. He gives us instructions for help in Matthew 6:34, “…do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Building on this instruction, Corrie Ten Boom said, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength — carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t prepare and make lists, plans, or goals. We just need to do those things without worrying. In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul wrote, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Paul gives us three practical prayer tools: supplication, thanksgiving, and requesting.
- Supplication means humbly asking, begging, or pleading with God.
- Thanksgiving means being thankful for the opportunity, trial, or issue. (It might not be what we want, but it will glorify God.)
- Requesting means letting our needs be known to God. (He knows our needs. We can glorify Him by acknowledging them and watching to see what He does.)
Our Lives Glorify Him
A repetitive source of anxiety in my life happens before I lead worship. My prayers before our band plays are often like this, “Lord, you tell us not to be anxious about anything. I pray that you would calm our nerves and give us the grace and means necessary to glorify you. Thank you for the gifts you’ve given to us and the opportunity to serve You and Your church. Help us remember our parts and lead well. Don’t let us be a distraction; instead, let us be the first to worship you. I pray against technical difficulties, broken strings, forgotten lyrics, dropped picks, and sticks. In your Name, Jesus, amen.” Sometimes we do drop picks, forget lyrics and have technical difficulties. But God is glorified even in those things, which is the goal.
Church, let’s not worry! Instead, let’s pray with supplication, thanksgiving, and requests. Then, let’s trust that God will give us His peace; we know it surpasses all understanding and will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Crossing things off the list,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor