Worry

YOU ARE VALUABLE

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SPARROW LG
SONG: YOU CAN MAKE IT

What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin?
But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground
without your Heavenly Father knowing it.
And even the very hairs on your head are all numbered.
So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God
than a whole flock of sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31 NLT

Do you feel valuable? If you’re like me, it probably depends on what day you’re asked. Some days I feel valuable and some days I feel somewhat worthless! But know this…You are ALWAYS valuable in the eyes of your Heavenly Father. Matthew gives us a vivid illustration of how much we mean to God.

I can’t imagine how many sparrows there are in this world. When I checked the dictionary, one classification alone had 140 species. And there are several different classifications all over the world. But Matthew tells us that our Heavenly Father knows when even one of them falls to the ground. He also tells us again in chapter six to “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” (Matthew 6:26) If the Lord feeds the little sparrows and keeps up with their coming and going, how much more will He take care of us, His children?

I don’t think anyone put it more succinctly than Peter. “Cast the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” (I Peter 5:7-9 AMP) Read that verse again slowly, emphasizing the word “all”…and make it personal. Lord, I “Cast the whole of my care [ALL my anxieties, ALL my worries, ALL my concerns, once and for ALL] on You, for You care for me affectionately and care about me watchfully.”

You are valuable to your Father God! And if He is caring for you, why should you take the care also? Cast it on Him today!

BALLOONS OF WORRY

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BALLOON THOUGHTS
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 center of your life.
Philippians 4:6
The Message Bible

There has been many a devotional written on the topic of worry. And I think we all know why that is… because no matter what your status in life, it is an emotion that we, as human beings, have to battle on a regular basis. But, as Christians, I firmly believe it is something that we can overcome and actually rise above. Indeed, it is an emotion that we, as children of God, should overcome and rise above! How it must sadden our Heavenly Father to see that we do not have complete trust in His love and provision for us in every area of our lives.

As I was reading this verse in Philippians 4:6, the Lord brought an illustration to my mind. He often shows me mental pictures to help me understand a passage or concept. Worries themselves are like balloons that have not been inflated. They are simply passing thoughts of what could come to pass. But when we start to meditate on and embellish those thoughts, we begin to inflate the balloon. The more we meditate on (worry) about the matter, the larger the balloon becomes. We can let those renegade thoughts continue until the balloon reaches its full capacity and you know what happens then…pop! It explodes and little pieces fly everywhere. By this time, our nerves are shot…literally!

But have you ever seen anyone who does balloon art? It’s so cool! They blow balloons to probably three-quarter capacity and then they make them into wonderfully fun shapes that bring joy to the onlookers. They twist and tie and manipulate those elasticized containers of air into objects of joy…a graceful swan, a cute puppy, a lovely flower. Why can’t we learn to do that with the anxious thoughts and worries that try to invade our lives and fill our minds until we reach the breaking point?

When worrisome thoughts come, and they will…when they start to inflate your mind with all sorts of scenarios that likely will not even come to past…stop! Realize what is happening and turn those thoughts around. Twist them and tie them and turn them around until they are totally transformed into something beautiful that fills you with joy and gladness and complete peace…so much so, that it spills over onto those around you!

You may be thinking…well, that is a lovely illustration, but how do I possibly go about it? Well, if you call yourself a Believer, do you or do you not believe God’s Word? Do you believe the verse that says that He will work ALL things for good to those who believe? (Romans 8:28) Do you believe that He will meet ALL your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus? (Philippians 4:19) Do you believe that He loves you with an everlasting love? (Psalm 103:17) Do you believe that He directs your steps and delights in every detail of your life? (Psalm 37:23) Well then, begin meditating on these thoughts and start turning those worries around to objects of beauty! Let’s make some beautiful works of art from what is trying to cause us potential disaster! The minute the worries try to creep in, recognize it and start turning them around! God is faithful. He will NEVER let you down!

 Give all your worries and cares to God,
for he cares about you.
I Peter 5:7 NLT

I DON’T HAVE A CARE IN THE WORLD

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CAST YOUR CARE

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties,
all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him,
for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
I Peter 5:7 Amplified

SONG: I DON’T HAVE A CARE

Are you worried about something today?  You may say, “I’m not really worried, just a little concerned.” Do you know that God cares about everything you care about?  Yes, He does . . . because He cares about you.  I love the way this verse puts it in the Amplified Bible.  (The Amplified Bible is just a version that amplifies or defines the words so that we can understand them better.)  Care is defined as anxiety, worry or concern.  That pretty much covers it all doesn’t it? It goes on to say that we can cast or throw all of those cares on the Lord, because not only does He watch over us in a protective way, but He also has a deep affection for us as His children.  He wants the very best for us. “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) The Father’s kingdom consists of ALL good things… health, wealth, joy, peace… anything you need.

It always helps me to understand our relationship with the Heavenly Father by comparing it to the relationship we have with our own children.  Do you care about everything that touches the lives of your children?  Of course you do!  Then why would you think our Heavenly Father would feel any differently?  “He who did not spare even his own Son, but gave him up on behalf of us all — is it possible that, having given us his Son, he would not give us everything else too?” (Romans 8:32 Complete Jewish Bible) Not only does He care, but He wants to help us if we just bring our cares to Him and leave them there.  How many times have you said to your child, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”  Does that child worry about it anymore?  No, because Daddy said he would take care of it. Today your Heavenly Father is saying, “Child, give it to me.  I’ll take care of it.” Usually the problem is that we want control. We want to try to figure it out ourselves first and then when we fall flat on our face or have exhausted all our resources, give it to God. It’s like my three year old grand-daughter saying, “I can do it myself, Meme!” Wouldn’t it be so much better to save ourselves all of the anguish and self-imposed worry, and give it to God the Father in the first place?

For some reason, society has taught us that if we care about something, we have an absolute obligation to worry about it. That mentality is passed down from generation to generation even among church-going people. It is a slap in our Father’s face and a life filled with agony for us, for this world is filled with opportunities to worry. Haven’t you seen people that you actually envy for their carefree attitude? I have. It is my greatest desire to live a life of complete rest in Jesus, trusting Him in every situation…knowing that He loved me so much that He gave His life for me and the Father loved me so much that He sent His only Son to die. What greater love…what greater care…what greater peace exists? Let’s make this our confession today:

Father, I cast all my care [all my anxieties,
all my worries, all my concerns, once and for all] on You,
for You care for me affectionately
and care about me watchfully.
I rest in Your love for me.