"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." – Matthew 11:30 (ESV)
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,” - Romans 5:3-4
Recently, I sat in an amazing worship night with my church. It was a spirit-filled, very personal night between me and the Lord. During the service, my pastor spoke about laying down all the worry that is in our life; we weren’t meant to carry it. I know the Bible verse well, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” - Matthew 11:30. My husband took my hand, we walked to the altar where we prayed, we cried, and we poured out our worry at the feet of Jesus. As I am sitting here typing this, I can still feel how present God was in that moment. I went to sleep that night with a peaceful heart. And then I woke up the next morning…
The enemy was determined to make my day difficult. I would pray, and listen to worship music, but every little thing grated on my nerves. I was absolutely miserable all day. When I went to bed, I not only picked up the very thing I laid down the night before, but I picked up more worry along the way. I was mad at myself for worrying, which then turned into frustration at being mad, so all night I lay in the spin cycle of my thoughts.
At some point during the night, God woke me up to tell me that just because I was a card carrying member of the “packing my own worry” club doesn’t mean that I have to participate. More importantly He reminded me laying down my worry, wasn’t just a one and done moment. As much as I would love for God to erase my worry, Men in Black style, that is not how God works.
Giving our worry to God takes faith, a moment-by-moment belief that “All things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”. - Romans 8:28. It takes trust that He doesn’t waste pain, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” - Romans 5:3-4. It takes an open heart to walk through the process God has laid out before me. “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How, then, can anyone understand their own way - Proverbs 20:24
I know it is hard to not worry, but what is easy is that God doesn’t want us to worry!! I am certain before I go to bed tonight, some kind of worry will be stirring in my brain. Moment by moment, step by step my focus will be on God and what He wants for my life!!
❤️ ❤️
Ann
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