Monthly Women's Devotional
Concern vs Worry
When our youngest son and his family lost their major source of income, I found it hard to sleep and equally challenging to focus on anything besides their unexpected situation. Yes, there was legitimate concern to be had, but I (unintentionally) allowed that concern to turn into worry.
Fear, worry, and anxiety are all weapons Satan uses to keep us from enjoying the abundant life that God has for us. No doubt, these emotions can render us hopeless, overwhelmed, and unable to be effectively used by God. Fittingly, in Philippians 4:6 (MSG), Paul urges his readers . . . “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.” That pretty much says it all!
So, to sum this verse up:
When we allow our concerns to cross over the worry line, it’s time for us to take control of our thoughts and bring them back into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Dr. Tony Evans wisely declared in his Joseph: Detours to Destiny series that “when the kingdom is pushed to the background because an issue in your life has assumed control, then that issue has become an idol and a god, thus hindering the true God from meeting the need that is causing you to worry.”
Worry hinders our ability to prioritize God and His Kingdom’s glory; therefore, throughout God’s written Word, we see warnings against crossing that line. One of the most well-known scriptures on worry is found in Matthew 6, where Jesus commands us not to worry about our life, but rather to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Life’s roadblocks, detours, and unexpected turns can send our heads spinning for sure! Especially when someone near and dear to our hearts is involved. Is there a “concern” that is consuming your thoughts today? If there is, then I encourage you to take a moment right now and present that burden to your heavenly Father in earnest prayer. Begin your prayer by praising Him for who He is and thanking Him, in advance, for how He is going to work this out for your good and His glory; then wait in anticipation as this seemingly small but powerful act of obedience redirects your focus onto the One who is worthy of our trust in ALL of life’s challenges and setbacks.
Trish Gibb
When our youngest son and his family lost their major source of income, I found it hard to sleep and equally challenging to focus on anything besides their unexpected situation. Yes, there was legitimate concern to be had, but I (unintentionally) allowed that concern to turn into worry.
Fear, worry, and anxiety are all weapons Satan uses to keep us from enjoying the abundant life that God has for us. No doubt, these emotions can render us hopeless, overwhelmed, and unable to be effectively used by God. Fittingly, in Philippians 4:6 (MSG), Paul urges his readers . . . “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.” That pretty much says it all!
So, to sum this verse up:
| Problem | Fretting and worrying |
| Recourse | Present concerns and praises to God in prayer |
| Result | Worry is transformed into faith-filled prayers offered to Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides |
Worry hinders our ability to prioritize God and His Kingdom’s glory; therefore, throughout God’s written Word, we see warnings against crossing that line. One of the most well-known scriptures on worry is found in Matthew 6, where Jesus commands us not to worry about our life, but rather to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Life’s roadblocks, detours, and unexpected turns can send our heads spinning for sure! Especially when someone near and dear to our hearts is involved. Is there a “concern” that is consuming your thoughts today? If there is, then I encourage you to take a moment right now and present that burden to your heavenly Father in earnest prayer. Begin your prayer by praising Him for who He is and thanking Him, in advance, for how He is going to work this out for your good and His glory; then wait in anticipation as this seemingly small but powerful act of obedience redirects your focus onto the One who is worthy of our trust in ALL of life’s challenges and setbacks.
Trish Gibb
