Tag: Worry

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Seeking God in Suffering – Worrying is a Waste of TimeG

Worrying Is a Waste of Time

DAY 22 | Matthew 6:25-34

“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” —Matthew 6:34

My 15-year-old grandson took a high school psychology class and began diagnosing each family member with a mental disorder. When I asked him about mine, he said, “Anxiety.” I laughed because I’m generally a glass-half-full kind of person. I trust God for the future.

Yet I admit that I do secretly worry about what will happen when my three-year cancer treatment plan ends. I worry about my children who have already lost their father to cancer. I worry about my husband having another heart attack. I worry about my dad’s grief and loneliness after losing my mom and then my stepmom.

What secret worries linger in the back of your mind?

We can imagine Jesus lovingly shaking his head at all of our what-ifs, and asking the rhetorical question “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Jesus teaches us not to waste time with such concerns but instead to “seek first the kingdom” of God. We can focus on living out the gospel, sharing it with others, and maximizing the time we are given.

Jesus challenges us to have faith and to trust that the Father knows exactly what we need. Rather than fret, we are invited to surrender our stress to Jesus. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,” he says, “and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

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Lord, we worry when we should just pray. Help us to bring the concerns of each day to you in faith, and empower us to trust in your providential care to sustain us and our loved ones. Amen.

//Reframe Ministries//

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Seeking God in Suffering – No Fear Here

No Fear Here

DAY 18 | Psalm 23

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. —Psalm 23:4

When I help young people pre­pare to profess their faith, I try to instill in them the importance of learning Scripture. For example, we have them memorize Psalm 23 because we want it stored deep in their souls for times of trouble.

Everyone will eventually experience a dark valley in which they will especially sense the need for Jesus, the good shepherd. This psalm speaks of the shepherd who leads us to comfortable places, refreshes our souls, and lavishes us with love and blessings. And when we face times of suffering caused by disappointments or devastating blows, our protector comes to help and comfort us.

Our friend Sid had a massive heart attack recently after running with his granddaughter. A security guard revived his dormant heart with CPR. For weeks, Sid was in an induced coma on the brink of death, but by the grace of God and two heart surgeries, he recovered. Sid’s testimony is that reciting Psalm 23 in the midst of pain and sleeplessness brought healing to his soul.

When we enter the darkest valleys amid serious illness, stress, loss, worry, and other struggles, we can find much comfort in the prayer of Psalm 23. We have the blessed assurance that God is with us and cares for us. We have no need to fear.

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Lord, you know how fear can grip us when we face the shadows and dark valleys of life. Assure us of your presence that leads us and protects us when we can’t see an escape route. Amen.

//Reframe Ministries//

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Daily Devotion – Wanderings

“You number and record my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle – are they not in Your book … This I know, for God is for me … In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? – Psalm 56:8-11 AMPC

The psalmist David admitted that there were times when he wandered. He also realized that God would “number and record [his] wanderings.” These were times when he failed God and strayed from the right path. He made mistakes and doubted God many times.

Perhaps David was disappointed that his efforts fell short of his expectations. He was disappointed when he sinned against God. Perhaps he did not receive the answers he expected or failed to experience God’s blessing.

In every situation, God knew his actions. He had numbered and recorded everything before he even did it. When the psalmist cried out because of his pain and failures, he knew that God was prepared to forgive and restore him. If he genuinely repented, God was ready to put his tears into a bottle (v. 8).

His experience reminds us that even our closest friends have limited understanding, and the smartest person only has limited wisdom. How much better it is for us to trust in God!

Right now, no matter what you face, remember that you can trust Him. Be honest with Him. Tell Him every need, worry, and fear. Admit your failings, wanderings, and sins. Accept His forgiveness and restoration. Let Him give you a fresh start.

Be so confident that you can say, “I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Remember, God is for you in every situation!

Prayer: Father, I need Your help in this situation: _________. I will not be afraid no matter what others do or say. I trust You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Extended Reading: Psalm 56