Letting God Take Care of You When You’re Worried
Are you dealing with a noticeable amount of WORRY these days?
Worry “separates” us from truth because when we’re worried, we can’t tell what’s true and what isn’t, what’s real and what is not real.
But when we give the Lord our worries, we get to rest in Him and rely on His strength. It’s like we find ourselves again.
Something beautiful happens when we choose to let God take care of us, instead of trying to take care of everything ourselves. We worship Him when we just let Him be Himself in our lives.
If you’re struggling beneath the weight of worry, here are a few simple things you can do.
1. Look away from the problem, and set your gaze on God.
Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes arrogant;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
I have certainly soothed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child resting against his mother,
My soul within me is like a weaned child. (Ps. 131:1–2 NASB)
Worry has a way of appearing more important than it actually is. It lies to us and tries to get us to pay attention to it. “This bad thing might happen! It’s a threat!”
But as believers in Jesus, we can let God have the “great matters” and “difficult” things, while we just rest on His lap. It isn’t that we never have problems, but we get to bring Him all our questions, fears, and desires and trust Him to lead us.
What are you dealing with today? Maybe it’s a money problem, loneliness, an argument with your significant other, or a weird conversation with a friend. Take the matter to the Lord, and ask for His help and wisdom. Just be a child on His lap, and see what happens.
2. Allow God to comfort you.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy. (Ps. 94:19 NIV)
Different versions of the Bible translate “consolation” as comfort, soothing comfort, assuring words, etc. In times of strong worry, we need strong comfort. Whatever your heart is worried about today, the comfort of the Lord is available to you. Think about who He is. Meditate on His nature. Quiet your heart so you can hear His words of consolation. This simple activity will help restore your joy.
3. Choose the Lord’s rest and quietness.
Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Come back to me! By returning and resting in me you will be saved.
In quietness and trust you will be made strong.” (Isa. 30:15 TPT)
Pray Isaiah 30:15 over yourself but in your own words. Here’s what your prayer might sound like:
“Father God, You are what I want. You are holy and You are the Lord. I say ‘no’ to worry and fear, and I rest in Your quietness, trusting You with all my heart. Please show me how to rely on You completely in this matter that is making me anxious.”
4. Give the Lord all your anxious thoughts. Let Him carry your worries for you.
Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. (1 Pet. 5:7 TPT)
What do you need to give to God today? What is weighing you down and causing you anxiety? Purposefully set that thing in His hands. Give Him the worry, and tell Him what you’re doing:
“Father God, I give You this worry: ________. I leave it in Your hands.”
When You Feel Anxious, Hold Fast to God’s Word
Bill and Sue Frisbie recently shared some great truths about believing the Lord even when it isn’t easy:
When God says something will happen, it will happen.
Some of us need that quiet reminder today—to keep going and not give up, to hold on to what God’s Word says, to be “violent” in our belief in Him.
“I will not give up! God, You said this and I believe You. This is the promise You made me. I will not move from this place of trust. I will not move from this place of faith. I choose to believe Your Word even if it looks like nothing is changing. I know something is changing.”
That kind of declaration, spoken by a heart of faith that chooses Him, is a delight to God our Father.
Worry tries to wrap around us like chains. To defeat worry, we need to wrap ourselves up with God and His truth instead.
Speak out loud who He is and what He’s said to you. Repeat verses from Scripture that give you hope and comfort. Actively resist worry in your life, and don’t allow it to rule you.
Take courage, child of God. He hasn’t left you alone.
Does your heart need to remember who God is? Check out these other devotions: