May 8, 2008

Overcoming Worry

I don't know about you, but I'm a worrier. I don't have many talents, but worrying seems to be something that I'm good at... advanced at! :) My tendency is to think more about the worst that could happen instead of the best that could happen in any given circumstance. As a Christian, this poses a bit of a problem because the Bible is always exhorting me, "Do not fear," "Do not worry," "Trust in the Lord." While fear may be my initial response, I should not let it control me. My devotional reading today was from 2 Chronicles 20 (take the time to read it for yourself sometime). King Jehoshaphat had every reason to be afraid, and he was, but his response made all the difference.

Here are some of my simple gleanings from the story of Jehoshaphat as recorded in 2 Chronicles 20:

  1. When I'm afraid/worried, I should immediately turn my attention to seek the Lord (verse 3) instead of dwelling on all the negative things that might happen.
  2. I should not hesitate to enlist others to seek the Lord with me (verse 4).
  3. I should not try to predict what might happen (in my mind, it's always the worst), but instead I should remember all that the Lord has done before (verses 5-12).
  4. I should not rely on my own strength but on the strength of my all-powerful God (verse 12).
  5. I should keep my eyes fixed on God and not on my circumstances (verse 12). I have found that God is most often more concerned about changing me and not necessarily my circumstances. (This is the hard part :)

"The battle (circumstance) is not yours, but God's" (verse 15).

Overcoming Worry,

Beth <><

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