What actually is worry? The Verb definition is to feel or cause to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems. The Noun definition is the state of being anxious and troubled over actual or potential problems.
Often I’ve heard it said as the miss use of imagination! From my experience this does not help when you are a person with concerns! To be honest life has many challenges in it. All of these situations and circumstance can easily be an entry point to worry. But the Lord asks us to trust Him instead, to put our cares on Him, to give our burdens to Him.
But why? Because He knows worry is place that can be a slippery slope that can lead to adverse side effects, both mentally, physically and spiritually.
What starts as a small thing often hidden in one part of who we are, can often lead us into distraction and destruction.
The interesting thing with worrying is we end up using mental energy on things we have no control of and cannot bring any change to. The Lord knows this most important fact.
He is the only one who can bring changes in these areas that concern us (worries) of our life, and can lead us into compassion and to Him in faith, BUT like all good things, it can be used for negative, and lead us away from Him through worrying. Did you know worry is one of the man weapons of the enemy? Starting with subtle suggestions of destructive outcomes for situations and circumstances around us, The aim is him hoping we will except them as true. If we do he then turns the dial up with other lies, until he can open the door of fear in our life. Giving him greater impact in our life, leading us closer and closer to his lie becoming true through the beliefs and actions.
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he”……. Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV).
Have you ever had someone sharing about what they read in their horoscope of the day? It’s interesting that they seem able to convince you, that what they have read is going to happen to them. Sadly though it actually does, and it leads them to try and read more for they believe it a source of truth.
The bible says Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit”.
This is sadly what happens to these people, they read a lie, speak the lie over their life as they read it, they believe a lie, and then are amazed when the lie becomes reality in their life.
John 14:6 (NKJV)
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”.
For the truth about any situation or circumstance you face is owned in the person of Truth (Jesus). Jesus never Lies in fact if He had then He could not have done what He did, what the season, purpose and plan His Father sent Him for.
I wonder in times of worry if we ever ask Him to reveal to us the Truth about the situation or circumstance?. The Word says:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5 NIV).
If He shows us the perspective from His view, then wouldn’t we have a better position to stand on.
I wonder how often we are worried about an outcome ending bad, when He is trying to work it out for our good(Roman 8:28).
On top of this did not Jesus go away so we could be clothed by the power of the most high (the Holy Spirit) (Luke 24:49). And is not the name of the Holy Spirit our advocate (John 14:26).
So let me conclude with this today. If we know that the Father is good. Jesus is the Word of Truth and the Holy Spirit is our Advocate and our Counsellor. Then this allows us to stand in a place not only placing our burdens on Him (Psalm 55:22, Matthew 11:28-29 ) But also giving us the right to ask Him for what we need in faith? (Matthew 7:7)
And faith will lead us out of worry right in to belief. This what Jesus was saying in the following verse
Matthew 6:25-26
Don’t Worry
“This is why I tell you to never be worried about your life, for all that you need will be provided, such as food, water, clothing—everything your body needs. Isn’t there more to your life than a meal? Isn’t your body more than clothing?
“Look at all the birds—do you think they worry about their existence? They don’t plant or reap or store up food, yet your heavenly Father provides them each with food. Aren’t you much more valuable to your Father than they?
Read on if you like through verse 27-31 as it is useful and will help orientate us on the Goodness of our Father.
But let’s conclude with Matthew 6:32-34
“For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require?
“So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.”
Worry is not a currency of heaven, FAITH is a currency of Heaven And with Faith of a mustard seed mountains can be moved, obstacles overcome, people can be healed and so much more.
Faith was the power and source of every miracle Jesus preformed for the one requiring the miracle.
In the next part I’m going to share how we shift our mindset from worry to faith, and give testimonies and applications.
How’s your Worry inventory?
Holy Spirit, would You show me any worries I have?
What do You say about them?
Today I choose to think about them (say each worry) the new way You do God (say what He said) I choose to apply FAITH as it will lead me out of worry into belief for each You showed me. Thank You Father for Your goodness to me, You are good and You do good to me.
Let’s Pray,
Father, thank you for all You have for us all. We pray for those in situations and circumstances of worry, that right now You would come to them and reveal the truth, so they can encounter You. In Jesus name, Amen.
Craig Patten
Itinerate Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Ministries
