Rock beats scissors.

Scissors beats paper.

Paper somehow beats rock.

Peace beats worry.

I come from a long line of worriers.  I believe the predisposed gene for it increases through the generations.  My mom actually has two times the normal dose within her. (WINK.)  The pinnacle of worry occured the year that I graduated from college.  I was moving out for good, my sister was moving into her first house at college, and my brother – the baby, had just gotten his drivers license.  We didn’t even really need to worry for ourselves – she worried enough for the rest of us.

WORRIES

That being said, I’m fairly confident that I received the dominant trait for worrying.  I “plan” ahead simply to mask my worrying.  I worried that I would never meet “the one.” I worry about making friends, I worry about keeping our fig tree alive, my weight, my business, our future… I could go on and on, but it’s probably better if I don’t.

Sometimes I try to mask my worry by praying. My long-winded prayers are often brought before the Father  just in time for me to let go… once the event is over.

“Thank you God that somehow this happened and you pulled me through. I’m sorry I was freaked out the whole time. I probably should have asked for help at some point. Thank you for seeing me through… again.”

CLIMBING

Picture this:  I decide to climb a mountain, we’ll say Pike’s Peak.  I have a heavy bag of equipment that I will need for camping later that evening, but not during my hike.  I’m slowly heading up the mountain when someone in a jeep pulls up and offers to drive my pack up a good portion of the mountain so that it will be there when I need it.  But I refuse… perhaps I might need the tent on the way up!

I know it’s not the best analogy, but you get my drift, right? It’s ridiculous to think that I wouldn’t hand off the heavy stuff when someone asks to help and yet that’s the way I so often come before the Lord.  Matthew 6 is very clear about what we are to do with our burdens:  DO NOT WORRY.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?”  Matthew 6:25

This isn’t a suggestion.  Jesus doesn’t merely say “I would suggest you don’t worry.”  This is a command.  A COMMAND – just like those 10 we know so well.  So why do we take this one so lightly?

Satan will try anything to distract us from the peace God wants to give!  Don’t let him win with worry.  Give it up – Jesus knew what he was talking about!

PRAYER > WORRY

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” Philippians 4:6-7, The Message

Peace wins over worry when we learn to pray. My mom teaches me this by example on a daily basis. Although she airs her worries, I also know that she takes them daily to the throne of grace and asks God to give her peace. She reminds me to pray about everything, to pray specifically, and to pray with thanksgiving!

Let the peace of God move in your heart this week! Turn your fears into prayers and those prayers will turn to peace!

Listening and Following,
Ginger