Do you ever get anxious and try to “look over God’s shoulder” to see if He’s “reading the instructions” correctly? Jesus spoke on several occasions about the subject of worry. As He pointed out the lifestyle of the birds and the serene beauty of the lilies, He said this:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV

There’s an old saying that says, “Don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow”, which seems simple enough, but our minds can be restless. Tension can grow between our desire for surety and our trust in God’s sovereignty; however, it helps to remember that worry is not of the Lord. He doesn’t place worry in the heart of His child. Even though we may try to cultivate it from time-to-time, it’s not a fruit of the Spirit. Paul helps us out in Philippians 4:6:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Instead of focusing on the circumstances, the scripture tells us to:

• Pray through the many things we’re thankful for
• Honestly discuss with God our anxieties (He already knows anyway)
• Ask for His help with our thought patterns and not just situations

Once this mode of prayer is set in motion, verse 7 promises:

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

That’s a great trade. We give Him our worry and He gives us His peace. What do you have to trade today?