There are so many things to worry about these days. But the Lord wants us to worship instead of worry!
Worry is defined as a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems. It is a common stronghold for women because we crave control, we’re problem solvers, and we like to get things done. Women are also multi-taskers, list-makers, and caretakers. That creates several opportunities to worry, but God desires us to worship instead of worry.
How do we shift our focus from the “what ifs” to “what is”? Let me share how the Lord works this out in my life.
From Worry to Worship
I was in this state of anxiety this week. With the holiday, battling writer’s block, and a tight schedule, I’ve gotten so behind on this blog. And I have several other writing projects to get done. Along with that is a nagging sense of pressure to produce transparent pieces that minister to women on a practical level.
Writing is hard y’all!
As I brooded over everything I needed to get done, the “what ifs” started popping in. Things like “what if I get weeks behind on the blog, what if I lose my inspiration completely, what if I never get to finish that project, and what if I’m not prepared when it comes time to teach?”
Through some prayer partners, fellow writers, and in my daily time with Jesus, the Lord brought it to my attention that this was all self-inflicted worry. I placed all these expectations on myself, standards without flexibility, giving myself no grace. (Have I mentioned I’m a recovering perfectionist?)
I needed to shift my focus from worry to worship, and fast!
Remember and Reapply Truth to Worship Instead of Worry
So I re-read my post on Proper Perspective and re-applied the truth I had just taught. I reminded myself to rest in the Lord, remain in his word, and rely on His Spirit.
God has given me this blog to proclaim the word, and help women to know, live, and invest the truth. He gives me every post, I just have to make sure I’m tuned into His leading through my quality time with Him every day.
My job is to put the time in studying, praying, and living out the things I teach. God’s job is everything else.
His timing is perfect, and so is his track record. I just need to trust him. Share on XAre you anxious about your calling, career path, or choices you have to make? Remember what God has done in your life thus far, and reapply the truth He’s given, and you will feel that weight lift off your shoulders.
When you worship instead of worry, God fills your heart with peace.
Name your worries and what-ifs
Maybe you’re as forgetful as I am, and you’ve had a similar experience lately. Times where you find yourself wandering down the rabbit trail of “what ifs” when God desires you to stand firm on the path of “what is“.
In the unknown that characterizes our walk of faith, it’s easy to fall into the snare of the “what ifs”. If you’re a:
- Mom– What if my kids don’t get saved; live a life of sin; get cancer; die before me…
- Wife– What if my husband is unfaithful; leaves me; doesn’t get that job; doesn’t walk with Jesus…
- Daughter– What if my parents get sick; I’m the only one to take care of them; I can’t afford their medicine…
- Friend– What if they gossip about me; find a new friend; they like someone else more than me…
- Worker– What if I don’t get enough hours; lose that promotion; get fired; can’t pay my bills…
We could sit and dwell for days on all the different scenarios that could happen. But where’s the profit in that? We don’t gain anything other than a few more wrinkles and a rotten attitude.
If you would like to defeat anxiety and worship instead of worry, name your what-ifs, and then take each one to the Lord in prayer.
What Did Jesus Say About Worry?
The Lord wants us to think soberly about the circumstances of life. And to discipline our thinking, so that we can worship Him freely without the restraints of unnecessary fears.
Jesus addressed worry in Matthew 6:25-34. You should read it. He starts and ends this passage with “take no thought”– basically don’t worry about the things of this life. God is a perfect provider and will meet all your needs, you can count on it.
Matthew 6:33 KJV ~ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Don’t panic over your problems, put time in with Jesus. Pray over it all, and praise him for who He is and what He has done. Proclaim the promises of what He will do. And let the word of God wash away your worry! That is how you can worship instead of worry.
Walk by Faith and Not by Sight to Worship Instead of Worry
The apostle Paul also gave us instructions for winning the war with worry:
1Corinthians 10:5 KJV ~ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Instead of stewing over situations outside of your control, and imagining things that may never happen, arrest those thoughts and apply the truth. Put your mind into submission to the word of God.
Philippians 4:8 KJV~ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Our hearts will turn from worry to worship when we shift our focus from the “what ifs” to what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue, and praise. And joy and peace will rule us when we recount all the ways God is present, powerful, and perfect.
Remember Who God is to Worship Instead of Worry
If you’re facing a scary diagnosis, a wayward child, marital problems, or are buried under the weight of a busy schedule remember that God is faithful. He can be trusted, and He is in control.
The Lord is willing and able to provide you with everything you need to extinguish worry before it engulfs you. Be intentional to be sober-minded and turn your thoughts toward Him. Go from worry to worship today!
Philippians 4:6-7 KJV ~ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. ~ George Muller Share on X
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Pray With Confidence
Prayer helps us worship instead of worry. If you would like to grow in your prayer life, then check out Pray with Confidence. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the regular contributors. Here are a few links I think will be a blessing to you:
3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability
19 Bible Verses that Reveal the Will of God
Check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and tough questions tabs. There are many great options to boost your spiritual growth!
Powerful word. I woke up feeling defeated and full of anxiety about my new job in an Urban school for boys. It’s a place where a control freak, like me, has no control. I lost a bit of my sanity and packed up my desk in the middle of class yesterday and told my principal, “I quit.” I wanted to make a difference, but I ended up feeling ashamed and like a failure. Your words inspired me. They came from the heart of God. He has been telling me to trust for months. It’s time to listen. So thank you for encouraging me.
Praise the Lord!! God is so good!! That sounds like a great place to shine the light of Christ. I’ll pray for extra grace and strength for you as you follow the Lord’s lead there! Blessings! 🙂
Annie, such a GOOD article!!! I am well-acquainted with the “self-inflicted” pressures of writing/ministering. God constantly has to remind me to be still, and let HIM be God!
I love your quote- “My job is to put the time in studying, praying, and living out the things I teach. His job is everything else.” Yes and amen to that!
Thanks for transparently sharing your heart with us!<3
Thank you for those sweet words of encouragement Rachel, I truly appreciate them! God gets all the glory for every word! Blessings to ya! 🙂
Great piece Annie! I had some of those moments earlier this week. Like a tidal wave that comes in and leaves us feeling swamped. Worry overshadows all the goo we have to be grateful for and causes us to waste energy on what may never take place. Such wasted time and upheaval. My favorite part of your piece is when you said to shift our thinking from what if’s to what is. Good word!
It’s all a process of renewing our minds, reprogramming our responses, and reviving our heart of worship. We have to think on what is true about God, the situation, ourselves, our future, our purpose, and what is required of us in all that. In a nutshell that’s faith, obedience, love, and worship. Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. 🙂
Annie this spoke heaps to me today. I was going through a very hard time last week and it was so hard to trust. God came through as always. He always does. Thank you! I’ve chosen you for tomorrow’s feature on Salt & Light Linkup.
Praise the Lord, I’m so glad it ministered to ya! And what a blessing, thank you!! 🙂
I love your perspective on not focussing of “what ifs” but “what is”- so true!
If we can maintain that mindset, we’d definitely see a decrease in our worry amount! 😉
The line about God’s track record being perfect really struck me. It’s so easy for me to forget that God uses all for good, and that we just need to let Him have control. Thanks for the inspiration this evening!
Praise the Lord, thanks for reading! It is something we easily forget!
Yes, yes, yes. This is beautifully written. Too often we wallow in worry. But this is a fantastic way to rewire our thinking and give Jesus the room he needs to work the rest of life out.
Amen!
Trusting and hoping and continuing and trying again. That’s what it’s all about.
Amen!!
What a beautiful post! And timely as we enter the Christmas season!
Praise the Lord! 🙂
Great article! I struggle with anxiety and I need to work on stopping saying “what if” and knowing that God can help make things happen if it’s meant to be. 🙂
That’s so true! I’m glad it was a blessing to ya, thanks for reading!! 🙂
Powerful post, our perspective is so key! great reminder today! Thank you
XSuzanne
It really is. Thank you for reading and commenting, I appreciate it! Blessings!
Hi Annie! I love the detailed way you handled this. And you’re right. A lot of worries are self-inflicted and while focussing on the what-ifs, we lose sight of or compromise what actually is. I love your emphasis on the faithfulness of God. If we can just remember that often, it will help set our hearts at rest.
Absolutely! Thank you so much for reading and commenting, I appreciate your feedback. You’re a blessing!! 🙂
What great verses to combat worry! And replace it with worship 🙂 love this.
They’re definitely go-to verses and great ones to commit to memory. Thanks for reading, have a blessed day!
When we do what God wants us to do at each moment, we will not be overwhelmed. God will equip us to do what He wants us to do.
I’m not a woman, but enjoyed this post. I won’t get kicked out… will I?
Recovering perfectionist? Me too
I’m glad it was a blessing to ya! 🙂
WONDERFUL theme, illustrations, and alliterations !! Nice work!
Praise the Lord! 🙂
I love this! I definitely struggle with worry – sometimes to an unhealthy amount. But I know I can find freedom in God! Thanks for sharing this truth!
I’m glad it was a blessing to ya! 🙂
Great article, Annie! I love your caption- shifting from what if, to what is. SO good!
Very important word for today!
Thanks for writing!
Praise the Lord, I’m glad it was a blessing to ya! Thanks for reading and commenting, I appreciate it! 🙂
Anxiety is like a slow puncture. It has nothing good to offer but only keeps one doing a lot of nothing since the what if’s occupy the mind most of the time. Surprisingly, God tells us to leave all our worries to Him, but our doubts seem to fight our belief in God.
I thank God because I fought worry and somehow got over it; though it took quite some time. Thank you for this lovely article, you have nailed it.
I’m so glad you’ve gotten victory in this area, praise God! Worry is a waste. At the root of it all is fear. Fear of failure, loss, judgment, lack etc. Faith drives out fear. The deeper our knowledge of God and what is true about him and his provision, protection, and presence, the stronger our faith. Thanks for your comment, Blessings!