Truth in the Midst of Worry: Essence Norton

A lot of people live their lives worrying about everything. As Christians, we should refuse to live in an anxious place. We know God and how faithful He is, which should cause us never to live there. Trust Him to supply your every need, for He cares for you. God lifted David out of a pit, set his feet on a rock, and put a new song in his mouth. All because David cried out to the Lord, “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1). If you're in a pit, cry, "God, help me, deliver me!” David said: "He turned to me and heard my cry." Oh, God's ear is always open to the cry of His children. But notice: he said, "I waited for the Lord, and He heard my cry." Jesus responds to the prayers of His people, but sometimes we have to wait. Oftentimes, we want to give up and quit. We get bitter and complain, "This thing doesn't work."   David's eyes were still on God, even though the answer didn't come when he wanted it.

Casting our cares on the Lord isn't always as easy as it sounds. We often can't hand our burdens over to God, even when we sincerely want to. Most times what happens is that we are left struggling with our self imposed limitations that God never asked for us to endure. The results are usually anxiety, depression, and despair. Worry steals our peace and joy, and that's evidence enough that it's a tool of the enemy. 1 Peter 5:7 says: "Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you." Only God's shoulders are big enough to carry our daily burdens.

The Lord sincerely desires us to give all our cares to Him. When we do that, we open the door for God to work wonders in our circumstances and lives. May this precious promise from God encourage you today: "I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and be your Savior" (Isaiah 46:4)! The One who bore all the sins of the world can carry "all your cares". We are given the glorious promise that Jesus loves and cares for us. He is personally involved in the lives of His children. Trust Him. Take the Savior at His Word. He means what He says, for He cares for you in a way you cannot imagine. Jesus said, "Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn, and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds" (Luke 12:22-24)? 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6). The instructions don't stop there. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, think about these things...and the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:8-9). So don't let anxiety distract you from your relationship with God and the truth that He is "Lord of heaven and earth”. He's also the Lord over your future too, "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have its worries. Sufficient for each day is its trouble" (Matthew 6:34).

There is so much in life we can be worried about, but by doing so, we only magnify the problem. We get ourselves in a state where we cannot think clearly or rationally. We cannot be effective in prayer and working out a solution if we are caught in worry. Tomorrow hasn't come; instead, let us be concerned with today. When we start to get anxious about the things that may or may not happen, the only thing we can do is give it over in prayer. There, we can find God's peace in place of our worry.

Friend, I encourage you to wait on God today. Some prayers are answered in a moment, and others take time. Do not get ahead of God. He is good to those who wait for Him, and He will answer your prayer.

Essence is a beloved member of the Wesley community. She is a sophomore at LA Tech studying nursing and enjoys watching YouTube and cartoons. Essence has a deep faith in God, and it has been a pleasure seeing her share that faith with others.