Connect 21 - Prayer + Fasting - Reaching Resultsনমুনা

Day 4 | Anxiety Robs You of Your Answer

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines the word anxious as “greatly concerned . . . respecting something future or unknown; being in painful suspense applied to a person.” At some point in our lives, we have all been anxious or fretful about something or someone. It may have been an unfavorable report from the doctor, the loss of a job, spouse, or child, not having enough money in the bank or even our mistakes. We may have at times given ourselves a pass for worrying based on the situation with which we were dealing; however, the Bible makes it clear that we are not to be in painful suspense about anything. It is our responsibility to keep our hearts from being anxious. You are not to be anxious about anything.

Many years ago, there was a popular gospel song that said, “If you pray, don’t worry. If you worry, don’t pray.” This is not a suggestion but a command to all believers who proclaim Jesus as Lord to not worry. When we worry, what kind of messages are we sending to our hearts? What kind of thoughts are controlling our minds? Anxiety tells us to doubt God and that things will not work out, but anxiety is nothing more than a distrust of God and His sovereignty.

Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Even when we go through tests and trials, things will work out for our good. This does not mean that everything we go through is good, but it does mean everything will eventually lead to good in our lives, and sometimes that goodness may be learning to trust God more.

God loves us, and He wants us to lay every care and concern at His feet and leave them there. The more we pray about our situations, our faith increases and our despair decreases. There is not one single thing that we cannot take to God in prayer, whether it’s on our own behalf or on behalf of someone else. Would you rather talk to yourself about your problems or talk to God about them? This is the difference between worrying and praying.

When we pray to God, we are exercising our faith in Him. If we believe God can save our souls when we repent of sins and accept Jesus, why can we not believe Him in every area of our lives? If we want to have peace that surpasses all understanding, we have to offer prayers with thanksgiving to God. We must continue to pray, continue to stay in faith, and continue to thank God as part of a lifestyle of prayer. Our communication with God, or our prayers, are not one-and-done affairs.

Reflection: Spend some time reflecting on your prayer life. Is it one of consistent faith or is it filled with prayers from a crisis mode, hoping that God will do something to take away your worry? He will not do what He has already given us the power to do. Pray to God. Thank God. Have peace.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You know everything about me. When the circumstances of life try to weigh me down, remind me to bring every concern to You, knowing You care for me. I will allow the Holy Spirit to help me redirect my thoughts from my problems to the problem-solver. I can trust You today and, in the days ahead. Thank You for Your peace in every situation because I can depend on You. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.