The Deadly Foe of Worry

by Angie Thomas

Worry.  It is a subtle, insidious sin.  It is like a black ninja that stalks us wherever we go.  For most of us, it is like a bad habit that we know we should kick, but feel powerless to overcome.  We can acknowledge that it wreaks havoc in our lives, causing stress and anxiety, and is often rooted in fear, and yet we don’t take it seriously.  We buy into the bad mantra of  “Everyone is doing it, so why can’t I?”

It is interesting to contemplate, because Jesus frequently reprimanded the disciples for their fear, worry, and lack of faith.  For example, there was the time when they were on a boat with Jesus and a horrible storm developed and they were afraid for their lives and cried out to Him.  After he calmed the storm He turned to them and said, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” (Matt. 8:26).

Another time Peter started walking to Jesus on the water.  He had his eyes fixed on Jesus and was walking on water! But the second he took his eyes off of Jesus and began to look at the wind and waves instead, he began to sink.  Again Matthew 14:31 says, “Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”

I believe Jesus’ words to us today would be the same.  “Why are you so ridden with worry and fear? Dear daughter, you have so little faith.”  I don’t know about you all, but I am tired of “little faith” and the lack of joy and confidence in my Lord that is a consequence of my sin of worry.

It is a stinking battle, girls, but one we must cry out to God for His grace to fight.

The Lord has allowed many situations that would cause me to worry, but He also graciously led me to this simple yet powerful truth in Psalm 18:1: “I love you, O Lord, my strength.” It has served as a reminder to my heart and mind in those daily battles to choose worship over worry.

When my baby wakes up in the middle of the night with a fever, “I love you, O Lord, my strength.”

When I am looking at our finances and medical bills and there is a stark deficit, “I love you, O Lord, my strength.”

When I feel like I am failing as a wife and mother, “I love you, O Lord, my strength.”

When my heart is hurting for a friend in a difficult situation, “I love you, O Lord, my strength.”

When my to-do list is mounting and my time is dwindling, “I love you, O Lord, my strength.”

My dear sweet sisters, I pray Jesus will lovingly and tenderly give you the courage and wisdom to stand up and fight, by His grace, this deadly foe of worry.  Our friends and family will see our joy, despite our circumstances, and the beauty of the Gospel will be powerfully proclaimed in our lives!