Worry Ends Where Faith Begins

This is for me too

This post is as much for me as it is for you.  I am going through a stressful situation right now but I know that worry ends where stress begins so I’m writing this for me too.

Stress, anxiety and worry are something we all struggle with at some point in our lives.  We are bombarded with advertisements, enticing us with things that we don’t really need or can afford,  and left with the feeling that if we don’t get or don’t have those things that we are

losers, or we’ll never achieve any significance.  So given that jolt we can easily become overwhelmed with worry,  fear of failure and fear of the unknown.  

But God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love and power and a sound mind.  Yes a spirit of courage not fear.   The ultimate end to worry  is to put your trust in God.  Worry ends where faith begins.

What is worry?

Here are some definitions for worry;

1. give way to anxiety or unease; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles; 
2. a state of anxiety and uncertainty of actual or potential problems;  
3. to think about problems or fears : to feel or show fear and concern because you think that something bad has happened or could happen.

Worry is to give way or give in to anxiety or unease, to ponder or consider intently about things that may or may not happen.  If what you are worrying about has already happened then you may need to do something about it.  Worrying about it without doing anything doesn't solve or change anything.  

If what you’re worrying about is a hasn't happened we may be giving in to something that may not happen all.  So we spent time worrying about nothing.  We may need to do some things to prevent what it is we are worrying about but if it hasn't happened yet why give in in advance?  Remember worry ends where faith begins and if our faith is in God then we need to give in to Him and His promises, not to the problems, difficulty or trouble.   In a blog not too long ago I gave you a list of who God is (Lord I Believe; Help My Unbelief).  Look at that list when you start to worry and become overwhelmed.  When you consider who God is then the problem becomes nothing.  

Worry robs us

 Worry robs us of time that we will never get back and,  if we look back at our past most, if not all of the things we worried about never happened or were solved and the worry wasn't the solution.  The scriptures encourage us to keep our minds on Jesus and the peace He brings. 

John 14:27 (HCSB)  “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.

John 16:33 (HCSB) I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” 

Isaiah says that our faith will be expressed as complete trust in the sufficiency of God and the perfection of his will.

Isaiah 26:3 (HCSB) You will keep the mind ⌊that is⌋ dependent ⌊on You⌋ in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.

The Hebrew word for perfect peace here is shalom shalom or peace peace.  This is “a peace that really is peace”  the kind that only God can give not the temporary peace that man gives.

4 Things about worry

Worry doesn’t accomplish anything 

Matthew 6:25-29 (HCSB) “This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body

more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? Can any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying?And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these!”

Worry can be destructive and can even make you ill

Proverbs 12:25 (HCSB) “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up. “

If we worry we are not trusting God

Philippians 4:6-7 (HCSB) “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Direct your attention on God not the problem 

1 Peter 5:6-7 (HCSB) “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.”

9 more Scriptures to strengthen you

When you start to have anxiety, stress and worry use them to strengthen your faith in God.  Worry is just that,  it’s not the real thing.

1. Matthew 11:28-30 (HCSB) “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
2. Colossians 3:15 (HCSB) “And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.”
3. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (HCSB) May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
4. Psalm 55:22 (HCSB)  “Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”
5. Psalm 23:4 (HCSB) “Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me. “
6. Hebrews 13:5 (HCSB) “Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. “
7. Psalm 56:3 (HCSB) “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
8. Proverbs 3:5-6 (HCSB) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart,and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.”
9. Romans 8:38 (HCSB) “For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come,⌊hostile⌋ powers, “

If you are worried, anxious, or stressed give it to God.  Remember worry ends where faith begins.

I would love to talk to you about those things that are stressing you out, causing you sleepless nights, and affecting your health.  I’ve been there and I found the answer in trusting God.   In fact I am fighting stress and anxiety over some stuff that is going on in my life right now so like I said before, this post is for me as much as it is for you.