By Kelly Carr

To begin with, it was 11:30 at night. When you are half asleep, that’s never a good time to begin thinking about a topic that has the potential to grip your mind with a thousand concerns (worries).

Secondly, I got online to check for answers to my questions (worries). I didn’t have a particular, authoritative website to go to, so I just searched on Google. We all know that’s a recipe for disaster—anyone with a negative opinion and an Internet connection can go online to depict their horror stories about our questions (worries) in disheartening detail. The only response is to curl up into the fetal position and vow never to leave the house again. (Unless the concern [worry] involves something inside the house!) Or maybe that’s just me.

Sneaking Thoughts

As is the case with many frets (worries), the worst case scenario did not happen (yet!), and I merely lost a good night’s sleep.

I thought I’d gotten rid of my overly anxious (worry) habit. Last year, 2015 held a lot of craziness for my family, yet God made his presence known. I went to him and felt his peace when in previous years I often resorted to dwelling on the matter (worrying). So I was surprised that I could get caught up in that sleepless night stewing (worrying) once again.

But that’s the sneaky thing about the dreaded w-word. I can think I have it defeated, but it can still creep up unexpectedly. I can call it as many other names as I can think of, yet I truly know what it is—worry. And I know Jesus told us it isn’t good. 

Seeking God

Jesus didn’t deny that we would face troubling circumstances over which we want to worry. He was human, after all, and understands our humanity. He simply said worrying wouldn’t help. It doesn’t change the circumstances or future calamity. He asked us to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness and God will provide what we need (Matthew 6:33, 34).

Certainly when we hear national and international news, we want to worry. Absolutely when we receive bad news about ourselves or our loved ones we want to worry over the outcome—physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Who can experience life on this earth without wondering what the future holds? 

But we are told to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness. What does that mean? The detailed answer looks different for each person. In broad terms it involves striving to glorify God in the midst of the confusion, caring about the things he cares about, and relying on his promises to provide. God always fulfills what he says, so we can trust that he will supply our needs. 

That’s easier said than done, but I will keep trying. The next time I have a bunch of “what ifs” (worries) rattling around in my head, I will try to quiet the noise and seek God’s peace. Because I am certainly a nicer person to get along with when I’ve had a full night’s sleep!