Does this worry match yours?

Mom and Dad were reading in the living room when 10 year old Todd came down the stairs.

“What are you doing out of bed,” asked Dad? “It’s pretty late.”

“I saw on the news that someone shot their guns at a school. Could that happen in my school,” asked Todd?

What about this one?

“With so many lay off’s, I’m afraid I’m next,” said John as he and his wife sat down to dinner.

“Oh no,” said Meagan, “the baby is due soon and I already turned in my resignation.”

Have we ever worried about this?

I wish I hadn’t yelled at the kids again today, thought Dale as he wrestled with the bed sheets. I don’t know why I lose my temper so often. I’m a terrible parent and I’m going to ruin my kids!

Finally, do you resonate with this?

I don’t know what we’ll do if it doesn’t stop raining, thought James as he studied the saturated ground. I’ll never be able to support the family if I can’t get the crops off the field.

These examples from daily life might have triggered additional worries that can completely absorb our thoughts, interrupt our sleep and affect our relationships. With effort and deliberate planning, some of these concerns can be addressed. Sometimes, however, no amount of preparation can fix all of our issues since they are not all under our control. However, we can be comforted in that they are under God’s control and he gives us advice for those times when worry overtakes us, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:25-26 NIV). Jesus also said, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34 NIV).

Instead, we are instructed to have a different focus. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Philippians 5:8 NIV).

Thanksgiving Day is officially past but we should apply the principles of thanksgiving every day. Each night, before going to sleep, instead of brooding over and over about the worries we have no control over, think of three things for which you are thankful. They could include the love of a spouse, the smile of a child, sunshine, warm greetings from a neighbor, an item you thought you couldn’t afford that was on sale, a positive phone call you’d finally received, food on the table, a warm home and most importantly, the gracious love and care from our God. Ponder these quotes. Francis Chan has said, “Worry implies that we don’t trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what’s happening in our lives.” Actually, scripture promises that “my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 NIV). This does not promise all our wants are met but all our real needs are. This is reflected by an Elisabeth Elliot quote, “To pray, ‘thy will be done,’ I must be willing if the answer requires it, that my will be undone.”

Helen McCormack and her husband, David, are members of Wycliffe Bible Translators serving from their home in Minot. To contact Helen, email her at jesusisthereason01@gmail.com