Give attention to God, Not on Worry
By Whitney Hopler
Bible Studying
“The LORD is my gentle and my salvation – whom shall I worry? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1, NIV
Each October, elaborate Halloween decorations start popping up in my neighborhood. A few of them are whimsical, however numerous them are designed to look as scary as attainable. One yard incorporates a goblin that zips down from a tree to shock individuals as they stroll by on a sidewalk. One home has a battery-operated witch on the porch, consistently babbling threats in a creepy voice. Then there’s the place that incorporates a gigantic skeleton towering over a home and obvious with pink lights in its eyes at individuals passing by. It amazes me that so many individuals spend a lot cash on these decorations, and a lot time setting them up, merely to scare individuals.
Our world usually glorifies worry throughout October. From haunted home decorations to scary motion pictures, individuals rejoice worry in all its kinds as Halloween approaches. It might appear entertaining to hunt out experiences that make us really feel afraid. However all of the spooky darkness round us on this fallen world isn’t price our consideration. As believers, our focus shouldn’t be on worry however on God. God’s light is much more powerful than any darkness we encounter.
The world might attempt to attract us right into a mindset of worry, however Psalm 27:1 affords a robust reminder that we don’t have to worry something or anybody, as a result of God is our stronghold. King David, who wrote these phrases whereas impressed by the Holy Spirit, was no stranger to scary conditions. He confronted actual risks from enemies who sought to hurt him, but his response was to not dwell on these fears however to declare his confidence in God’s safety. David declared: “The LORD is my gentle and my salvation – whom shall I worry?” This declaration is a name to shift our focus from the issues that frighten us to the One who is larger than all our fears.
Throughout October, when our fallen world encourages us to be entertained by worry, we’ve got the chance to decide on a special path. As an alternative of permitting worry to take root in our hearts, we will concentrate on the reality that God is our stronghold. Which means we will belief our omnipotent God to provide us strength in all conditions and to guard us from all that scares us – together with the evil that surrounds us. The darkness that casts scary shadows of doubt and fear round us can’t overpower the sunshine of God’s presence in our lives.
Worry is a robust emotion, however it’s not stronger than the ability of God. After we enable worry to dominate our ideas, it will probably paralyze us and preserve us from residing the thriving lives God needs us to stay. Nevertheless, once we concentrate on God, we do not forget that God is in management, that God is with us, and that God is for us. It doesn’t matter what circumstances we face, we may be assured within the assurance the Bible offers us in Psalm 27:1. God is our light, guiding us via even the darkest circumstances. God is our salvation, delivering us from all that threatens to hurt us.
Throughout October – and daily of the 12 months – take into account how one can shift your focus away from worry and towards God. As an alternative of getting caught up within the tradition of worry, spend time with God in prayer and meditation repeatedly. The extra time you spend with God, the extra God will dispel any worry that tries to grab your coronary heart. Keep in mind, the Lord is your gentle and your salvation, so that you by no means should be afraid!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you take into account the significance of specializing in God moderately than on worry whenever you really feel afraid, replicate on these questions:
- What fears have been weighing in your coronary heart these days? How will you carry them earlier than God in prayer?
- How does remembering God’s faithfulness previously provide help to belief God within the current?
- In what sensible methods are you able to shift your focus from worry to God all through your day?
- How does meditating on God’s Phrase provide help to battle worry?
- What does it imply to you personally that God is your “gentle” and your “salvation”?
Additional Studying:
Isaiah 41:10
2 Timothy 1:7
Philippians 4:6-7
John 14:27
Romans 8:38-39
Photograph Credit score: ©Getty Pictures/jakkapan21
Whitney Hopler is the creator of the Wake Up to Wonder book and the Wake Up to Wonder blog, which assist individuals thrive via experiencing awe. She leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Whitney has served as a author, editor, and web site developer for main media organizations, together with Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Military USA’s nationwide publications, and Dotdash.com (the place she produced a well-liked channel on angels and miracles). She has additionally written the younger grownup novel Dream Factory. Join with Whitney on X/Twitter and on Facebook.
Take a look at improbable sources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
Associated Useful resource: Daring Prayers: Asking God to Reveal the Roots of Our Nervousness
Typically, anxiousness can hit with none recognizable provocation, or our anxiousness can really feel extra intense than the state of affairs warrants. After we discover ourselves in that place, we will pray the prayer historical Israel’s second king, David, prayed on the finish of Psalm 139, trusting that our God will and is main us to elevated freedom. Pay attention in to this episode of Faith Over Fear and have your thoughts and coronary heart mounted on the reality you want on your day! In the event you like this episode, make sure you subscribe on Apple or Spotify so that you by no means miss an episode!