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worry versus strength


Continuing what we have been talking about this week I ask us to turn back a page in our Bibles to Matthew 6.  Leaders find strength beyond themselves that will out last personal strength and what we rely on so often. 

My favorite verse on this subject is one that God gave me over two decades ago as a promise, and it has been a staple that I have shared with people in counseling, in stressful situations and in my quiet times.  I challenge you to memorize this next verse:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Worry is a sign of fear or a lack of faith.  When we chose fear over faith, our enemy knows that he has a hold on our lives.  Understand that we have enemy, and we are at war.  If you are not seeing signs of war, you might not be looking, you might not be following Jesus or you might be dead.

God intends for us to have Him to hold on and for His strength to carry us through times that our humanity leans towards worry and failure.  Trusting God is a sign of believing and walking with God on a daily basis.  The following verses are linked to ones we read this week.

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?  31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Some things to think about and put in the treasury of your heart:

You are important to God.  That is a fact.  People are the most important thing to God and the direction of His unconditional love.

Stop worrying about things that don’t matter.  We often worry about stuff when stuff isn't what lasts.  Next we worry about relationships.  If we simply speak the truth and share expectations, our relationships will be stronger.  Worry can be dealt with by being honest with the people around us.

Seek God first and above everything else.  Seeking God is a sure sign of righteousness.  Seeking God leads to success.

Those three items give us great perspective.  But the greatest things that knowing we are important to God, not worrying and seeking God does for us is gives us strength far beyond on our own resources.  Worry is overcome by strength when the strength is God’s.

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