Have you ever thought about why we worry so often? I believe that the main reason is that we lack the assurance that things are going to turn out OK. The unknown can be kind of scarry and has caused all of us, on occasion, to worry about the future. Sadly, most of the things we worry about never seem to materialize yet we waste our valuable energy consumed with worry. But imagine for a moment that we could have the assurance that things were going to be OK in the long run. If we had this assurance worry would vanish.
As Christians, praise the Lord, we have God’s assurance, that while things in the short run may not always turn out the way we would like, God has our back and He is working all things for our good in the long run.
Worry is truly unproductive for several reasons. First, it will never change the future outcome. Second, it will cause you to stress with the resultant negative emotional and physical effects. Third, it takes valuable time away from praying, which may change a future outcome. And fourth, it tells God we don’t trust Him. I have learned in my Christian walk that even when God allows a negative outcome, He has a divine purpose.
Instead of worrying, we need to spend our time focusing and rejoicing in the many assurances that being a child of God promises us. For example, knowing that we are adopted into the family of God assures us that God will supply all of our needs, for we read in (Philippians 4:19): “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” In addition, we can place our unknown future in the hands of a known God who is working even our trials and suffering for His glory. And of course, we have the great assurance that our names are written in the lamb’s book of life, that our salvation is secure, and that heaven is our certain future home.
My friends having these rock solid assurances allows us to live our lives without worrying since we know that God is in total control and will use even the negative circumstances of life in a way that can bring Him glory and store up for us treasures in heaven. I believe that Charles Stanley summed it up best when he said: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”1 This wonderful advice will free us up from worrying and allow us to spend more time in prayer and praising God, with the result that we will be helping build up the kingdom of God and glorifying His name!
1 Quote by Charles Stanley: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.” (goodreads.com)