Worry, anxiety, and God's power to take care of it all!

Worry. I used to never be much of a worrier. I’m not sure why I have turned into more of a worrier than I used to be. I find it ironic because my relationship with Christ is stronger than ever, and He calls us NOT to worry. Why, then, do I worry? Why do I grow so anxious?

Matthew 6:25-34

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the pagans run after all these things, and 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.”

He says “Do not worry about tomorrow.” I believe all the worry we have is about “tomorrow” or “later” or “what’s coming next.” We worry about money and bills and health and weight and about the rising cost of EVERYTHING and about our children and our jobs (or lack of a job) and about our parents and about our siblings and about having the right shoes for the right outfit and about our friendships and about car trouble and about people we don’t even know and about our country and even about God’s will for our lives, and…and…and. So many of us are just worriers. So many of us filled to the brim with anxiety.

So I ask myself, “If I truly believe in God’s plan for me, why am I spending one second of my life on worry?” Also, when has worry EVER been beneficial? When has it ever helped us? When has worry ever solved a problem?

Not once. Not once is it EVER conducive for our lives.

God reminds us that He even makes sure a bird has food, and wants to know, then, how can we ever doubt that He won’t care for us? When we worry, we are in fear that it won’t turn out right…but with God for us, that isn't even a possibility. Granted, it may not turn out the way we desire, but it will turn out according to God’s plan for us. And God has our best interest at heart every. single. time.

Sometimes when I am in the midst of a worry-fest, I talk myself down. “
OK, Katy, the worst thing that could happen is that we could go completely broke. If we go broke, we won’t be able to buy any food. We will starve to death. But then, when we die, we will be together with Jesus and all will be well.” OR “Ok, Katy, if someone kidnaps you and tortures you and kills you, it will hurt, it will be painful, but then you will be with Jesus.”

Now I know some of you think I just went off into the deep end, but hey, whatever helps me (or you) not to worry, then work it out! J God never promised that we won’t ever have trials or suffering, but you can BANK ON IT when He has said He will care for us. There is ZERO need to worry. It is what it is, and God will FOREVER remain on the throne. I have decided that I need a sign hung up in my house that says, “HE REIGNS.” That way I have a constant reminder that nothing on earth can ever dethrone my God, nothing can ever make Him stop caring for me, nothing can get in between He and I.

Although I have “talked myself down” from worry too many times to count, in my rational state, I know that the best weapon against worry is prayer. God gives us the freedom to call out to Him whenever and wherever and claim His victory over our troubles, our problems, our concerns…our worries. So, I feel the need to do that just now, in case anyone else is a worrier and is having a hard time handing it over to God…

Most Holy Father, I come to you right now and first of all, thank you for our many, many blessings. Thank you that you care about every detail of our lives. Thank you that you never, ever forsake us. Lord, you know we fall so short in our walk with you and you know that we struggle with worry. I ask that you would just remind us of your Holy Word that instructs us not to worry…and we know you don’t give us that word to be bossy but truly for our benefit. You know that worry will do nothing for us, and you want us to walk in that truth. Father, whether it’s our health, our finances, the government, our loved ones, big life decisions needing to be made, or any other fear known to man, give us peace in the TRUTH that you have it all worked out and there is no reason at all to fear or worry. Bless us with a peace only you can give. Remind us daily that you sit on the throne and that you are most capable of holding us in Your Hand. Take away all our worry and replace it with faith in You! We ask this in the most Holy Name of our Savior <3 amen="" o:p="">

May today be 100% worry free for you (and me) and may we just relish in the fact that God has us<3 o:p="">

Transparency...the long version

What is transparency?

I looked up the definition. It said “fine or sheer enough to be seen through,” “free from pretense or deceit,” and also, “readily understood.”

Some synonyms I looked up: clearness, lucency, translucence, translucency, clarity

I believe God calls us to be transparent. But how many of us are truly transparent? How many of us are “sheer enough to see through and without deceit?”

For me, there are things I readily share, things I reluctantly share (but still share when I feel the time really calls for it), and things I haven’t shared at all.

Ephesians 4:25 says, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.”  God is mighty and can work on anyone and through anyone. If we are quiet about what God has done for us, then to me, it’s like trying to keep His holiness a secret. If we keep His holiness and His ability to do great things such a secret, then we are losing out on sharing His greatness with others. If we don’t share how great He is, they may never come to know Him.

Do we have to have diarrhea of the mouth and tell everyone, everything, all the time? Haha! I don’t think so. Not at all.

I think the Holy Spirit encourages us to share when the timing is right and the situation calls for it. Of course, sometimes it’s hard to know when the time is right.

I personally love when people share their trials with me and then tell about what God has done to help them. It’s not because I’m happy that someone else has gone through something painful or tough or heartbreaking, it’s because it gives me hope to hear the details of His amazing healing and forgiveness.

I always feel blessed when someone comes to me with a problem, and it’s something I have gone through and can share my own experiences with them. I also always feel more comfort when I am facing a trial and can talk to someone that has been through that same thing already. When someone has been through what you have, there is just a new level of connection and understanding. When that happens, God is able to show up and show out, right on time. It can make all the difference in someone coming to know what a caring, detail kind of “guy” that God is.

Can God work without us sharing our business? Duh. But how much more are we blessed when we allow Him to use us for His glory?!

The things I have been through, the things you have been through…that is part of our story…the good times and the bad times, the up times and the down times. Our story may be what helps lead someone else to Christ, or if they already know Christ, then help lead them to further healing in Christ. Sometimes we have parts of our stories that just seem so undeserving, so unclean, so filthy, that we just don’t see how God could want us, much less use us. But, He can. When Christ gave Himself up for us, His work wasn’t limited to only cover certain sins or certain people. The gift is there for all to receive, if they accept it.

The more we share our struggles, the more transparent we are, the more opportunities we have to help others, and honestly usually find some healing and help for ourselves in the situation as well. Our sin is like a filthy rag, and yes, it is shameful, and no it’s not easy to tell people about what mistakes we have made, but Christ cleaned our rag and made it brand new, as white as snow…that is JOY, people! We can be proud of who we are BECAUSE of Christ Jesus. That is something to sing about…not something to hide…It’s something to share with someone about!!

Also, when we are afraid of being transparent, afraid of judgment, we can totally take it right to the feet of God. We can ask boldly for Him to give us courage in doing what He asks of us.

There is ZERO condemnation in Christ Jesus, ZERO judgment in sharing the MIGHTY works He has done in us.

So with that being said, I have being praying fervently for Him to show me how, when, where, and with who I should be transparent with. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to share about how amazing He is, simply because I am afraid. He is totally working on me in this area and this topic has been on my heart…so, If you want to pray for me in this area, thank you! If you need prayer from me in this area, feel free to email me J  

Let us be completely and totally in Your will, God!