Do you worry about the future? If you do, you're not the only one. Many people are overly concerned about the future and/or the future of their children. It seems the majority of people are worried about money or the lack of it. Others worry about their health or about dying. Some worry about provision and/or shelter. Still a few others worry about being left alone. People often speculate or worry about circumstances that in many cases will never happen. Everyone at some point in life has worried about the unknown, or the "what ifs."
We can make a few changes that might help us, but for the most part it's a wait and see game.
These thought patterns happen, because we are human beings and don't know any better. Fear first starts out as a small thought, then becomes concern or worry that grows into anxiety, and if not stopped, can become full-fledged fear. And that is a serious problem, because fears can distort perceptions and sometimes lead to troublesome realities.
In the Old Testament, a man named Job had the same problems as many of us have, problems that may have opened the doors to his suffering and disasters. (Job 3:25). The Bible says in II Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Fear is the actual reason why some people get cancer—because their parents and/or grandparents did, and so they spend their lives worrying about it. Doctors call it genetics; but I believe cancer really has more to do with fear that poisons the mind and then the cells of the body.
Those same kind of fears have led numerous people, victims of fear, to take actions that were not necessary or could have been avoided. In some situations people have opted for preventative surgery, because they previously had cancer or perhaps other family members had it. Some have taken other drastic measures such as, stealing, cheating, or using drugs to help them out or relive them of their problem or situation.
Anxieties and fears are enemies that cause people to react in ways that are not normal or necessary. God desires to rescue people from the hand of the enemy (or enemies), so as to serve Jesus without concerns or fears. (Luke 1:74).
It is sad to see people trapped by these anxieties and fears. However, I do understand this myself. I've been there before, but I am learning that so much of it was unnecessary. If we would just realize and comprehend the reality of how much Jesus loves and cares for us, we would never be stressed out about anything. He wants to help us know and experience his rest and peace; that is, if we will let Him.
First step, God wants us to acknowledge our feelings, turning them over to him in prayer. Then we need to study the Word of God as to know God's promises and to learn to trust him. Next, we need to change the way we think and talk. (Our word can paint the future.) And then, most of all, thank Him in spite of everything that has happened or is happening. Along with these steps, we should try to avoid (stop listening) to people who speak negative words, including many sources of news information. From those sources, the enemy, satan, will try to influence and discourage people to not to trust in God's promises.
Jesus requires faith, obedience and most of all an intimate relationship. He is a covenant-keeping God (Gen.12: 2-3) who will be faithful to all His promises. Faith in him will change circumstances. We need to be patient and learn to obey. We need to understand that all things work together for good (in his timing, and not ours) for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose (Rom.8:28). So we need not worry or be anxious about anything. God wants to help every one of us—this includes you—more than we can realize. Here are some encouraging words from Jesus.
We can make a few changes that might help us, but for the most part it's a wait and see game.
These thought patterns happen, because we are human beings and don't know any better. Fear first starts out as a small thought, then becomes concern or worry that grows into anxiety, and if not stopped, can become full-fledged fear. And that is a serious problem, because fears can distort perceptions and sometimes lead to troublesome realities.
In the Old Testament, a man named Job had the same problems as many of us have, problems that may have opened the doors to his suffering and disasters. (Job 3:25). The Bible says in II Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Fear is the actual reason why some people get cancer—because their parents and/or grandparents did, and so they spend their lives worrying about it. Doctors call it genetics; but I believe cancer really has more to do with fear that poisons the mind and then the cells of the body.
Those same kind of fears have led numerous people, victims of fear, to take actions that were not necessary or could have been avoided. In some situations people have opted for preventative surgery, because they previously had cancer or perhaps other family members had it. Some have taken other drastic measures such as, stealing, cheating, or using drugs to help them out or relive them of their problem or situation.
Anxieties and fears are enemies that cause people to react in ways that are not normal or necessary. God desires to rescue people from the hand of the enemy (or enemies), so as to serve Jesus without concerns or fears. (Luke 1:74).
It is sad to see people trapped by these anxieties and fears. However, I do understand this myself. I've been there before, but I am learning that so much of it was unnecessary. If we would just realize and comprehend the reality of how much Jesus loves and cares for us, we would never be stressed out about anything. He wants to help us know and experience his rest and peace; that is, if we will let Him.
First step, God wants us to acknowledge our feelings, turning them over to him in prayer. Then we need to study the Word of God as to know God's promises and to learn to trust him. Next, we need to change the way we think and talk. (Our word can paint the future.) And then, most of all, thank Him in spite of everything that has happened or is happening. Along with these steps, we should try to avoid (stop listening) to people who speak negative words, including many sources of news information. From those sources, the enemy, satan, will try to influence and discourage people to not to trust in God's promises.
Jesus requires faith, obedience and most of all an intimate relationship. He is a covenant-keeping God (Gen.12: 2-3) who will be faithful to all His promises. Faith in him will change circumstances. We need to be patient and learn to obey. We need to understand that all things work together for good (in his timing, and not ours) for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose (Rom.8:28). So we need not worry or be anxious about anything. God wants to help every one of us—this includes you—more than we can realize. Here are some encouraging words from Jesus.
"This is why I tell you; do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body, After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes? Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth more than birds? Can any of you live a bite longer by worrying about it?""And why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. It is God who clothes the wild grass—grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have!""So do not start worrying: Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes? (These are the things that the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things. So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of it own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings."(Mt. 6:25-34 GNB)
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all this things will be added to you." (Mt.6:33 NASB)
Doesn't get much simpler than that, does it? Here are a few more promises:
"God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in the times of trouble." (Ps. 46:1 GNB)
"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." (Ps. 55:22)
"Leave your worries with him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
"I will never leave you, or forsake you." ( Heb. 13: 5)
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