Worry Less!
I taught Sunday School to a group of third and fourth graders a few Sundays ago and I can’t get the lesson out of my head. It was on worry. Imagine that, teaching 8-, 9-, and 10-year-olds to not worry. My daughter is 10 years old, and I shudder to think that she may worry in her sweet life, but I know she does. Just last night she came into my room after I put her to bed, and she was crying and shaking because she feared the noises in our house. She comes home from school crying and concerned about something that happened with her friends on the playground. She doesn’t like it when her dad and I leave her because we are not altogether. I am a fool to think she is not worrying about these things and so much more.
In the Sunday School class I taught, there was the sweetest boy who at the beginning of class was crying not wanting to come into the class because he was uncomfortable with his dyslexia. There was another boy who told me after he was seated that he could not talk to other kids because it scared him. No doubt these kids were filled with worry. I immediately thought, what a useful lesson these kids will learn today to prepare them for the rest of their lives.
The teaching material had me take an empty bottle and put a little bit of soap in it, then pour some water into it. As I talked to the kids about things they worried about I shook the bottle. Immediately bubbles filled the bottle as I shook and shook. I asked the kids if their tummies felt like they were filled with little bubbles when they worried. The kids said “yes,” and that worrying made their tummies feel funny, even sickly.
How does worrying make you feel?
Worrying separates us from God because we are trying to take control over something that God already is already taking care of. When we worry we are not trusting in God. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us to not worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear. Our Father clothes the flowers in the fields and we are so much more important to Him than the flowers.
This got me to thinking. I usually don’t worry about what I eat, drink, or wear. Those things are not my concern, but I do worry about other things. I worry about my children, our family’s finances, health, my decision-making process, and my obedience to God. As I thought about what Jesus is saying in Matthew 6, all the things I worry about fall into the categories Jesus was talking about. He cares about my children and their salvation more than the flowers in the field. My worrying over finances is the same thing as worrying about having money to feed our family and clothe them. Our health is a priority to God and if He brings the flowers up out of the ground and keeps them alive through their lifespan, He is more concerned with our health. When it comes to our salvation and us following Him, there is nothing more important to Him. He wants more than anything for us to have a relationship with Him, love Him, and put Him first.
If we look at our worries this way and see that God is concerned about all areas of our lives, is there a reason to worry?
During my Sunday School class, after I spent some time shaking the bottle and creating lots of bubbles, I then filled the bottle up with water until all the bubbles overflowed and poured out until it was only water left in the bottle. This represented when we replace our worry with Jesus, His love, peace, and comfort. If we fill ourselves with prayer, God’s Word, and trusting that He is in control, there is no room for worry. Jesus goes on to say in Matthew 6, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Seeking God first and filling ourselves with His righteousness will put everything else into place. He will provide a way and there is something about placing our trust in Him and surrendering all our concerns to Him that gives us not only a mental change, but also a physical change. Our bodies are calmer, we breathe easier and can stay focused better. Seeking God first changes all aspects of our lives and helps us to worry less.
Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Paul trusted that God would provide for him and the church in Philippi. He told them to not hold back, to surrender everything over to God, and He will provide generously to the church. Surrendering all our concerns to God and loosening our grip of control and worry gives room for us to see God move in miraculous ways. Open your heart to God and see the goodness He provides for you and me.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:8
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.” Psalms 54:4
Digging Deeper:
What is making you worry right now?
How is your worry keeping you from seeing God move?
How can you fill your life with God instead of worry?