“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything.”
Fear and worry have become prevalent in our society. I meet so many people that are genuinely scared about their future and the future of our country. The past few years have provided challenges and obstacles to all of us. Many people have dealt with financial, health, or relational issues. The fear of Covid, as well as the actual virus, left a lasting scar on so many people.
“Are they going to cut our salaries?”
“Are they going to eliminate jobs?”
“Am I going to get sick?”
What if a loved one contracts the virus?
What is going to happen in our country?
Of course, FOX, CNN, and MSNBC are not helping. I don’t think I have ever heard a news anchor point out that we have survived tough times before and we will survive again. It is not the media’s job to try and encourage their audience. Instead, they want people to stay scared.
Fear equals ratings.
Fear keeps people from thinking clearly.
Worry is like an octopus that wraps its tentacles around our minds.
For those of us who are Jesus followers, it should be very different. We have many opportunities to remind people that everything is going to be OK as long as we put our faith and trust in Christ. God has a plan for our lives and he wants us to trust him. Even during this crazy season in America, Christians need to remember that God is bigger than either candidate or political party and he is definitely bigger than any virus. Sure, we need to get involved and understand the issues that America is facing. At the same time, let’s not let fear have control of our thoughts.
The Apostle Paul’s advice here is profound. Go to prayer instead of going to worry. Go to faith instead of going to fear. I know that these are scary times. If we can develop the habit of going to prayer first, though, Paul promises us that God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds.
Experiencing God’s peace does not mean that our problems disappear. His peace does allow us to think clearly. God really does have a plan for our lives and He wants us to learn to trust Him. Faith and peace are two powerful forces. They help us to stay focused no matter what our circumstances look like.
Do you ever struggle with fear and/or worry? How do you combat them?
Annie and I are serving the Lord in the US, Africa, India, and beyond. We are training leaders, helping build great local churches, and laying a foundation for future growth. We would love to have you on our team. Just click here to get involved. Thanks so much!
