God Really Does Care For You

We all worry. Some of us worry more than others. I know I am guilty of worrying too much. I pretty much worry about everything there is to worry about, and after that I worry that maybe I forgot to worry about something else.

I have completed my read of "Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety" by Elyse Fitzpatrick. It was an excellent read and I would like to share what I learned in a couple of different posts.

Since worry is such a struggle for me--although in reading this book I finally understood how fear, worry, and anxiety are all connected--I thought I would start with worry first.

Why Do We Worry? Well...the simple answer is because of sin.

The Lord tells us we don't need to worry in His Word.

I know that you have all read these verses like 40 times. But seriously, take the time to read them again. I'm typing them out so that I read them again as well:

"Don't be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25-33

I think one of the frustrating things about worry is how easily I am entrapped in the sin. Elyse Fitzpatrick writes, "Worry is so common that we forget that it's actually a sin." I know I am guilty of that. I read this chapter on worry a few weeks ago and already I am creating a cozy little place in my life for worry to hang out.

I just need to "just say no" to worry!

Here are a couple of other verses that exhort us to not worry:

"Cast your burden upon the Lord" (Psalm 55:22)
"Do not worry about how or what you are to say" (Matthew 10:19)
"Be anxious for nothing" (Philippians 4:6)
"..casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7)

One point that Fitzpatrick made that I took particular comfort in was, "Don't misunderstand: Jesus isn't talking about trying to turn off your brain. He isn't teaching, 'Don't think at all about what you're going to eat, or wear, or your sleeping arrangements,' No what, He's warning us about are those troubling, fearful thoughts that so effortlessly captivate our mind."

I read that sentence a couple of times...."fearful thoughts that so effortlessly captivate our mind." I am so guilty of this. This week's worry is my trip up to Central California for Thanksgiving. I am worrying about every aspect of the drive up there. Will there be traffic? How long is it going to take? Is the baby going to freak out? What if all of these things happen? What if we are late for the meal? What if? What if? What if?

It is tiring being me. I so wish that I could overcome this struggle with worry.

I thought another interesting point that Fitzpatrick made was how amazing our brains are. Our brains are powerful things. "One article states that it is 'reasonable to conclude that the human brain has a raw computational power between 10 to the 13th power and 10 to the 16th power operations per second.'" Basically we are capable of having a million thoughts in one moment! And as Fitzpatrick says, "What's even more astonishing is that the God who created our brain's ability to function in this way has told us to control our thoughts!"

It seems like an insurmountable task. But one thing that I found comforting is that God is exhorting us to control our thoughts, which means it must be POSSIBLE. For God would not want us to labor for something in vain. Will I be able to control all of my thoughts? No. But the knowledge that it is possible was very freeing to an OverThinker like me.

Of course, we need to remember that the only way it is possible to just say no to worry is if we cling to Christ. We must flee to Him. And only Him.

Fitzpatrick references this important verse,

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."
John 15:4-5

We can't overcome our worries without Christ's strength and help.

Fitzpatrick spends some time analyzing where worry comes from and why it is sinful. You will have to read the book to learn more about that!

Just keep in mind that at the end of the day, we have no reason to worry. God takes care of the sparrows and the lilies of the field, He will certainly take care of you.

She closes the chapter with some advice on how to overcome worry. I had forgotten that God's Word provided me with a plan on how to overcome worry.

Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus....Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:6-9 (The Living Bible)

I had read these verses many times, but not from the perspective of controlling my thoughts. And man....that was convicting! God wants me to dwell on what is "true and good and right." And I know for a fact that I am not always doing that.

Much like your elementary school teacher talked about "thinking caps," Fitzpatrick encourages us to put on "thought filters."

After we have prayed with thanksgiving (!) about all our concerns, we need to learn (by God's grace of course) to control our thoughts.

"Paul tells us that there are eight filters through which we should judge our thoughts.

Thought Filters, Ask Yourself:

True: Is what I am thinking true about God, particularly His fatherly care for me?

Honorable: Do my thoughts honor God? Do they reflect the knowledge that He is wonderful, kind, loving, wise, and powerful?

Right: Are my thoughts holy, righteous, or just? Are they the kind that the Lord Himself would think?

Pure: Do my thoughts cast doubt on God's goodness or the truth of His promises? Do they elevate my own importance or desire?

Lovely: Do my thoughts flow from a heart filled with tenderness and affection for the Lord? Would my thoughts bring Him pleasure?

Of Good Repute: Are my thoughts of good repute? Are they grounded in faith?

Excellent: Do my thoughts cause me to be fearful, or do they fill my heart with courage and strong commitment to virtuous living?

Praiseworthy: Would the Lord commend my thoughts? Would they bring Him glory?"

Is this quest to no longer worry going to be accomplished overnight? Nope. Paul says in Philippians that we must "practice." We are going to fail. But we need to keep trying. Fitzpatrick points out that God will give us peace in this endeavor.

"The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," and "the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:7-9)

Lastly, Fitzpatrick also points out that all of this doesn't mean we are going to be protected and won't have to suffer through any trials or storms. What it does mean is that God will give us the peace and strength we need to endure them.

Are you ready to accept that peace? I know I am! Join me as I say NO to worry and try to control my millions of thoughts.