Monday Morning Encouragement - Why Pray When You Can Worry?




Reading the title of today's post, you may think I made a mistake. Shouldn't it read, "Why Worry When You Can Pray?" 


Absolutely! However, many Christians seem content to prioritize worry over talking things over with our Heavenly Father. I'm speaking from experience. I'm a recovering worrier. For years worry was my go-to response to living life. And let me tell you, it was exhausting. Sleepless nights and anxious days take their toll.


It wasn't until a pastor came for a visit to our home when we were living in Phoenix in the early 70's that I learned what the Bible's cure for worry is, and it changed my life. This pastor had experienced an emotional breakdown that started with constant worry. His recovery began when he appropriated Philippians 4:6-7. Here it is in the Message version of the Bible:


"Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."


Wow! "Shape your worries into prayers." I love that! 


See, Satan doesn't want us to pray. He knows that praying is communicating with our Father. And that's the last things he wants us to do. He knows that turning our worries into prayers will give us peace. And he hates that idea! So, we have to combat his scheme with the truth of God's word. 

Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"


His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!

Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Church in California presents a heartfelt and powerful message called The Cure To Worry in the video I'm sharing today. I hope you will take the time to watch it, or at the very least listen to it while you're going about your tasks today. In the message he gives three principles for overcoming worry. By the way, Pastor Laurie's son died in an automobile accident in 2008. I share this so that you will know he has endured a horrible event in his life and has remained faithful to the Lord. I like to hear from people like this, who have had victory over real tragedies in their life.


 
I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.

Hugs,



7 comments

  1. Thank you for this post! With the way things are going there are plenty of things to be concerned about but we know our Redeemer lives.

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    1. Yes, Donna. Our Redeemer lives, and He has given His followers everything they need to have victory over worry. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. xx

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  2. Thank you for this post Nancy. I need it so much right now.... Lately I've been worrying about everything... which is being detrimental to my health.. so then I worry about my health. It's a vicious circle... I'm going to listen to his sermon all the way through (have started it already) and read the scriptures he quotes and do some serious attitude adjustments to myself! I like that he said "worry is a sin"... and yes I think I agree with that. It really does sap us of so much. thank you again Nancy!!! Marilyn xoxoxox

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    1. Marilyn, its my pleasure. I'm sorry you have been worrying, and I'm glad this post could minister to you. I'll be praying for you as you seek to give this over to God and submit to Him. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Big hugs!

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  3. Hi Nancy, Thanks for sharing Pastor Laurie's sermon. I, too, appreciate hearing from those who have learned from life experiences. We all need to be reminded that as believers and followers of Christ, we have alternatives to worry. Praise God! He has made a way for us!

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    1. Pam, thank you for sharing your thoughts. This is what we as Christians should be doing...encouraging each other to trust the Lord and remind ourselves and each other that He has, indeed, "made a way for us!" Praise His nameL! xx

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  4. It is hard not to worry, isn't it? Your words are encouraging and a good reminder for me to PRAY!
    I want to be that person who, when she gets up in the morning, Satan says, "Rats! She's awake!"

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Your comments bring me joy! Thanks for stopping by.