In the normal Christian life, we are supposed to pray and not worry. We are supposed to trust God more than we question Him. We are supposed to have His peace upon us no matter what is going on around us. We are supposed to be living examples of what God can do.
Prayer is a place that puts you nearest to God. “The Lord is close to everyone who prays to him, to all who truly pray to him” (Psalm 145:18 ICB).
However, what should be the normal Christian life is often not the common experience among Christians. Most worry first and sometimes pray later. They question God more than they trust Him. Most do not have His peace in the midst of their trials. They do not consider what God can do.
When you pray first, you’ll be thankful later. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers” (Philippians 4:6 TLB).
We shouldn’t despair wherever we are in our faith. Whether we are near to the Lord or standing very far from Him, all we need do is turn to Him. Consider that everything He is allowing you to go through is to bring about this very thing you need to do, which is to trust in Him.
You can either worry about it or trust God with it. “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 56:3-4 NASB).
When we worry, we are not focused on the absolute sovereign power of God. Every worry looks at the problem and not to the Lord. Our circumstances can seem so overwhelming only as long as we are not weighing them against everything that God can do. What you look at is what has you.
Don’t worry about what lies ahead; just keep your mind focused on the Lord who is with you. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).
You only have to worry about those things you refuse to give to the Lord. Worrying is a choice for the Christian. Those in the world often have nobody that they can turn to, but the Christian always has their Lord. Every time you worry, you have chosen to do so. Start making better choices.
The number of things you worry about equals the number of things you’ve not yet given to God. “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT).
The best way to change yourself is to let Him. When you find yourself worrying, then stop and pray. Don’t only ask God to solve the thing you’re worried about, but also ask Him to help you not to worry. Often the worrying causes more damage than the thing you’re worried about.
Worrying does not add to your life but subtracts from it. Jesus taught, “Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying? …be concerned about his [God’s] kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.” (Matthew 6:27-33 NOG).
We have to practice our praying. This does not mean each prayer is not the real thing but only that we must acknowledge that we need to improve on the way in which we are praying. Getting better at prayer does not mean your prayers sound better but only that they become more trusting and genuine.
We worry too much because we pray too little. “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1 NIV).
Too often, the Christian prays without faith. The prayers are powerless and don’t rise above the dirt, let alone reach into the throne room of heaven. Remember Who you’re praying to. Consider you still worry after you pray because when you pray, you don’t really believe He will help you. Just believe.
Don’t worry as if God cannot help you. “Nothing is impossible for God!” (Luke 1:37 CEV).
The normal Christian life should be one without worry. The Christian should pray first and learn not to worry about those things they have given to the Lord. You can have this life. It does not take your talent or your strength to grow in your faith, but only your willingness and your surrender.
The greater your surrender to Christ, the greater His victory will be in you. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20 NKJV).
Blessings to you,
Paul Balius