What about Worry?

What do we worry about? School, getting a job, our health, our familites and friends, impressing other people? We often worry because of our environment and the situations around us. 

Philippians 4:6 reads...
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

According to scripture, we are called to bring our needs and concerns to God. Instead of worrying, we need to pray. 

But why would God want to hear about all of our problems? Why would He want us to bring all of our worries and anxieties to Him?

1 Peter 5:7 says...
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

God doesn't want us to carry around the weight of our problems and our daily burdens.  He WANTS us to share those burdens with him to make our burdens lighter. He CARES for us. No worry or trouble is too small or big for God.  When we share all of our problems with God, He gives us this promise...

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Once we share our worries and anxieties with God, He will grant us the peace that only He can give.

So, as you worry about class, commitments, future jobs, and hundreds of other things, remember to share them with God, for he desires to know your anxieties and wants to share all of your burdens.

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Perseverance

We are often exhausted in our daily routines. We stay up late to finish assignments, watch our favorite TV shows, or hang out with our friends. We struggle with getting to class on time and making it to our various meetings and commitments. Rather than concentrating on simply making it through the day until we can sleep again, we must focus on persevering and working for the glory of our Lord.

This week, the devotion came from the book of James..

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

And from Romans...

Romans 5:3-4

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Both of these scriptures describe perseverance as something positive. Perseverance establishes our character and gives us hope and encouragement. We must not persevere just to simply endure whatever we have to go through, but we must persevere and strive to be our best self.