Matters of the Heart…”Worry”

I know I have shared a post with you about “worry” before.

Maybe it’s because I worry too much.

Have I mentioned that I worry way too much?

I worry about future things.  Things that haven’t even happened yet, and may never happen.  Do you do that?

Well, whenever I read a devotional about worry…it really touches my heart.

Last Tuesday, on my 40th birthday, as I was sick in bed with a cold, I read a devotional from this book:

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young: Book Cover

I received this book for free in my Relevant swag bag.  They also gave us  a children’s devotional book that coincides with it.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young: Book Cover

My boys love reading the same devotionals that Mom and Dad are reading, but it is on their level so they can understand it.

The devotionals are written from the perspective of Jesus, as if He is talking directly to us.  And then it shares scripture to go with it.

Here is the devotional I read.  I pray it gives you peace.

November 9

SIT QUIETLY WITH ME, letting all your fears and worries bubble up to the surface of your consciousness.  There, in the Light of My Presence, the bubbles pop and disappear.  However, some fears surface over and over again, especially fear of the future.  You tend to project yourself mentally into the next day, week, month, year, decade; and you visualize yourself coping badly in those times.  What you are seeing is a false image, because it doesn’t include Me.  Those gloomy times that you imagine will not come to pass, since My Presence will be with you at all times.

When a future-oriented worry assails you, capture it and disarm it by suffusing the Light of My Presence into that mental image.  Say to yourself, “Jesus will be with me then and there. With His help, I can cope!”  Then, come home to the present moment, where you can enjoy Peace in My Presence.

— Luke 12:22-26 —
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

–Deuteronomy 31:6 —    “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

–2 Corinthians 10:5– “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

24 Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing a very inspiring post. How much I need to be reminded to turn everything over to the Lord and He will take care of everything.

  2. Oh, I needed this reminder and these inspired words. Thank you. I need to look into that devotional. Right now I use Streams in a Desert, but this may be great for next year. Thank you for sharing!

  3. I love “Jesus Calling”. There is a sweet elderly lady in our church who has made it a ministry to get that devotional into every lady’s hand. Every lady who has it raves about it and the way God uses it to speak to them. Sarah Young, the author, truly has a gift in understanding the common human experience and applying God’s Word to their need.

  4. I used to be exactly like you, I’d worry when any one of my kids walked out the door, until I learned to turn it all over to the Lord! Thank you for sharing this today.

    Rondell

  5. Thanks for your encouraging words this morning…they were much appreciated! I needed to be reminded that I can cast all of my cares on Him! Have a lovely day :))

  6. I LOVE this book!! It has gotten me through many of days that I dreaded getting out of bed. It truly is Jesus Calling to tell you something(s) you need to hear. Even on glorious days it lifts me up even further!

  7. Hi! This is the second time I have had someone reference this book lately so it must mean that I am supposed to hurry and get myself a copy! Thanks so much for sharing this today…I had to make a difficult decision yesterday and while I feel at peace about it and that God guided me in my choice, I still find myself fretting over it. It is a reminder that I need to continually lay it down at the foot of His throne and release it. My worrying is like trying to control something that I don’t have the right to control! This was the perfect timing for this reminder!
    Blessings to you,
    Vanessa

  8. Thanks for sharing this!

    One question about the children’s devotional book – can you tell me which ages you think it might be most appropriate for? My sister is looking for a great devotional book for my 7yo nephew – one that’s on his level. Any insight you have would be appreciated – thanks!

  9. I love Jesus Calling. It is amazing how many times I have read this at night and felt like God was speaking directly to me. Through this book and my wonderful church I am doing a much better job giving my worries to God.

    Great post. I love reading your blog because your heart is so good!!

  10. “Who of you by worrying will add a single hour to his life” This line calms me always. It is something I repeat in times of stress. Thank you for the devotionals today.

  11. Thank you for this post. It was exactly what I needed. I also struggle with worry, and I recently did a post about my fear of the future. However, I found a verse that was a blessing to me, “Thy word is lamp unto my feet.” I have no need to worry about my future, God desires to be my light. He will lead me one day at a time. Thanks again for the wonderful post. I greatly enjoy reading your blog!

  12. Great post! Timely in my case – sometimes I can’t sleep at night and I know it’s stress of the day. I ask Him to help me – seems like the simplest prayer. God is good and He always wants us to remember He’s got it covered – to lay our burdens and load and His feet. Peace, sister. Have a blessed day!

  13. Hello, thankyou for the lovely words. I too am a worrier. Can you tell me if you despatch your items to the UK as I would love some Gingerbread Men, Please could you let me know.
    Love Jillxx

  14. Thank you for sharing Traci. Just a few months ago I was listening to a sermon series on doubt and worry. It really helped me to see what I was doing to myself by carrying all that around. We were never meant to carry all that worry! I just watched an amazing 40 minute video the other day by Louie Giglio, “How Great Is Our God”. Absolutely amazing. God is so big, our universe is so big, just being alive is a miracle in itself. Also its amazing to see the very molecule (laminin) that holds our bodies together is in the shape of a cross. I get chills just thinking about it. Ever since watching that video, I can’t help but have a shrinking feeling come over me. Not in a bad way, but in a good way. In a way that raises God up to where He should be and placing all my priorities where they should be. God is so in love with us and he wants to have our worry, he doesn’t want us to sweat the small stuff.
    Love and Blessings,
    Sarah =)

  15. Oh we are loving these books too! I read them at the breakfast table and the kids ask for them if I forget. I just bought copies for my book study group for Christmas.

  16. Is your birthday, November 9th??? That is my birthday!!!! I turned FIFTY last Tuesday!!!! I found your blog and we have the same birthdays? God is always there if we look for him!!!

  17. Hi Trai! I am your newest follower…Been reading you for some time though! Im still new at this and figuring stuff out! Duuuh! I absolutely ADORE your site and that you put your Faith out there…I do the same…without God, i would be nothing! I would love for you to check out my 14 days of Christmas trees! I also have a NEW GIVEAWAY for you!

    *ENTER CUSTOM FLORAL Give-Away Here *

    xoxokara

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *