Living Worry Free
By Suzy Biggs
Can all your worries add a single moment to your lives? (Matthew 6:27)
I have to confess that I’m a worrier. While I know all of us worry to one degree or another, if I’m not careful I can become literally trapped in a bog of worry, anxiety and uncertainty that can affect my ability to function in daily life.
As I write this, we are only a week into the new year. Typically, I love the New Year holiday. The symbolism of a fresh, new start is both soothing and motivating. However, the events of the past couple of years have impacted me in some profound and negative ways. This year I’m finding it more difficult to fix my mind on what God says, rather than what the world is saying. Without doing that, my worry is bound to prevail. Lee Strobel, writing for Focus on the Family, says the following:
“Christians (should) recognize worry for what it is: spiritual amnesia. In other words, we tend to get anxiety-ridden over our future because we have forgotten God’s track record of helping us in our past.”
What are we to do? How do we plug back into the truth that God is in control and caring for us no matter what is going on around us?
Rest in the Lord
Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
If we’re honest, we know that this is easier said than done. Yet as Christians, we know that we are to rest in and rely on the Lord in all situations in our lives. What does that mean in practical terms? We must first come to Him. This means I must give priority to spending time in the word and in prayer, which is the only way I can be transformed, or that my mindset can be changed from focusing on the negative to focusing on the sufficiency of God.
Be Watchful in the Waiting
“In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3).
I love the new devotional book on the Psalms that our staff has written, and that we are going through together as a church family. The Psalms are always a good place to go when we are worried or fearful—we can be assured that we will find comfort in David’s prayers, praises and pleading with God.
The second step I can take to help me focus on God, and not the circumstances that are looming, is to watch and expectantly wait for God to act. This verse also reminds me that I am to go to Him in the morning before I go anywhere else! When I choose to do this, I can be assured that not only does God care about and hear my worries and concerns, but He also promises that I can expect Him to act on my behalf.
Be Ready to Act
Be alert [watchful; on your guard]. Continue strong [Stand firm] in the faith. Have courage [or Act like men (ready for battle)] and be strong (I Corinthians 16:13 EXB).
In this letter to the Corinthians, Paul calls for, or even demands action on the part of the listeners. As I learn and practice resting in and waiting on the Lord, I am not to be idle or passive, but am to be alert, to stand firm in what I know to be true and to be ready for spiritual battle–remaining strong and courageous. The battle for our minds is one that Satan is continually fighting. We must act in order to not be drawn into or defeated by his schemes. Worry and concern about the chaos going on around us is exactly what he wants us to engage in. I must continually choose to “act my way into feeling” and devote my entire focus to the truths of God and what He says about me, my life and my future.
Release And Trust
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10 NASB95).
Finally, I must choose daily to release the worry, anxiety, fear and concerns I have about my life back to God. When I was seriously ill a few years ago, this verse became the main focus for me, and what I believed about my future and my life. As I meditate on the Bible and the truth it holds, my mind and my emotions are renewed. As I fill my mind with the promises and precepts of God, worry is displaced, and I am freed to trust the plans of God. I am reminded that God always has a plan, and His plans are always good.
Author Bio
Suzy Biggs is a long-time member of CRBC. She recently retired from a public education career in teaching and counseling. She is married to Kenny and has two adult sons, two daughters-in-love, and most importantly, two amazing grandchildren. Although she is a loyal and true OSU Cowboy, Suzy currently works part time for OU (yes, OU!) supervising early childhood student teaching interns. She is active in the CRBC worship ministry and loves to share the joy of the Lord with others.