If there’s anything I need to let go of, it is probably a tendency to worry. For many of us, worry is so much a part of our everyday lives that we simply can’t imagine a life without it. ‘I just can’t help it,’ we say defensively if anyone challenges our neurotic tendencies. ‘It’s just the way I am.’ Our lives revolve around the ‘what ifs?’, hypothetical places devoid of hypothetical grace (because grace is real, not hypothetical.)
Jesus is unequivocal, however, in telling us not to worry (see Matt 6:25-34). He gives us reasons not to worry – the fact that we are loved by a heavenly Father who is more than able to provide for all our needs. He also reminds us that we do have a choice in this matter, for He urges us ‘do not let your hearts be troubled.’ (Jn 14:1), which certainly implies we can either allow worry to take root or we can ask for help in banishing it. The fact is that if God’s Spirit lives in us, we have access to power that is stronger than our old nature. Worry is a learned habit that can be unlearned. It is a hard battle, to be sure, but we can learn not to worry by letting worry shape our prayers: ‘Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.’ (Phil 4:6-7, The Message)
We can make a conscious choice at this time not to worry. Every time worry creeps back into our thoughts and minds, we can pray, asking God for the faith and grace to trust Him instead of letting worry take over our lives. Just as in a military battle, ground has to be claimed slowly, so we have to be prepared to win the battle against worry one worry at a time, so to speak. As we choose faith over worry, we find God’s peace, which passes all understanding, is able to come and settle our hearts, enabling us to hear God’s voice above the raging storms of life.
