Daily Devotion
Worry vs. Trust
By Stacie Ruth Stoelting
Yesterday, two concerns weighed down on my heart and mind: A darling little girl, whose mom died last year, suffered from a dangerous illness. And a very close friend's grandma clung to life.
I confess: I relapsed into a bit of worry. I pretended like I wasn’t worrying, and I almost fooled myself. But denying my worrying totally failed. I felt discouraged.
Suddenly, someone called me and prayed with me for both concerns. The Lord led me to trust Him.
Guess what? Within six hours, I learned that both the little girl and the friend's grandma received gracious extensions of life and health! Praise the Lord!
This reminds me of the competition for our concentration: Worry vs. Trust. Today, let's weed out worry and plant trust in Jesus. Let's realize a few keys to understanding and overcoming worry:
1. Why worry? Worry never works. Jesus said, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"(Luke 12:25, NIV). Let's think about it: Worry never works! Then, in the following verse (v. 26), Jesus pointed something else out: "Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" God considers the extension of life -the very thing we worry about most- to be a very little thing! Our omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient God remains so good -so trustworthy! Why not trust Him?
2. Worry wastes life: It never solves problems, and it dissolves energy and time. Again, it never extends life.
3. Worry never hurries answers. It falsely gives one a feeling of "doing" something. Yet it never does!
4. Trust remains a must: Trust God. His Word, not worry, must reign in our hearts. For every worry, find an applicable Bible verse to memorize and internalize. Instead of denying the fact that you're worrying, face it with God's Word.
5. Trust God more than feelings. And transform typical negative "what if's" into positive, faith-filled "what if's." (i.e. Instead of worrying something in your life might suddenly flop, start wondering whether something in your life might soar and give God glory!) God never leads us wrong. Every good and perfect gift comes directly from Him! Jesus said, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Stop worrying. Instead, start praying and obeying.
6. Unconditionally trust and love God: Remove conditions from your faith walk. (Stop the "If You do this, I'll love You more" syndrome.) God never changes. He unconditionally loves us and plans what's best for us. Let's love Him unconditionally, too.
7. Love God and others without fear or worry of rejection. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love" (I John 4:18, AMP). When we let God's love enter and flow through us, we exit fear.
Think of it: Worry never wins. Trusting God never fails!
Additional Scripture Reading for the Recovering Worrier:
In conclusion, let’s claim and proclaim Ephesians 3:19-31 (AMP) today:
"[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]-- To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it)."
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Stacie Ruth Stoelting © 2011, used with permission
 Going through a rough time? Join Stacie Ruth’s prayer group at www.PrayingPals.org. On a well-known national news broadcast, Stacie Ruth and her sister, Carrie Beth, shared how to be positive patriots of faith in the post-9/11 generation at www.UnitetheUSA.org. Discover why she's written a book at age 15, sung/spoken for the 43rd President, been pictured in major media (i.e. The New York Times and USA Today), and keynoted conferences since she was a teenager. To watch video clips, worship Jesus with music from her album, or get in touch with the ministry, visit www.brightlightministries.com. Send Stacie Ruth your comments.
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