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(presented by Lisa Bishop)
Are you in a season of change? Are you embracing it or is this season inducing some anxiety or fear?
We all experience change. Sometimes we initiate it and other times we find ourselves in an unwelcome and unanticipated season of uncertainty.
Whether invited or unwelcomed…change can induce worry and anxiety. I don’t know about you, but I tend to be a bit of a control freak. Comfort and certainty can be idols for me, so when I am in the midst of change and I am uncertain about the future, I can often feel out of control, and I don’t like it! Instead of leaning into God I can tend to settle in to worry
When we worry we feel fear and concern because something unpleasant is happening and we don’t know when or how it will end.
Or we think that something bad could happen, and the “what if’s” kick in. Your mind gets into a negative spin cycle of worst-case scenarios and you try to be a predictor of the future. The thing about worry is that it is always fearing what could happen. We conjure up all of these scenarios in our minds, most of which never come true. In fact a recent study says that 91.4% of what we worry about never comes to fruition. When we worry, in some way we falsely believe that our worry can change our circumstances. We know that worry is a waste of emotional energy, yet we are all prone to it. The fact is worry cannot change outcomes.
So what do we do when change induces fear, worry, and anxiety to rear their ugly heads? We can look to the gospel of Matthew to refocus our thoughts and remember the words of Jesus.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear….Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?….Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:25, 27-28, 33-34).
What is an area of your life that you are lending too much mental and emotional energy to by worrying? What current or impending change is causing concern?
Bring your cares to Jesus and remember, worrying won’t add a moment to your life. When you experience concern for the future, turn it into prayer and praise that Jesus sees you and knows your needs. Discipline your mind and heart to look to Jesus where your help comes from. He is your ever-present help in times of change.