Thinking, Not Praying:
Lately I felt the Lord was convicting me about how sometimes I am thinking about something, but not actually praying about it.
It’s so easy to get into a mental tizzy of worry under the label of “thinking about what to do.”
No, sometimes it’s more than that. If I’m honest, sometimes I’m not just thinking about the situation, I’m worrying about it…on my own (ahem, apart from God).
Hello! Worrying is sin! I felt like it was an aha. A little refresher about the wretchedness of this transgression.
For God’s Word instructs us:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” - Philippians 4:6
This is a command: do not be anxious.
And I am to obey God’s commands, for obeying God’s commands can open the way for it to go well with us (see Deuteronomy 12:28).
And I don’t know about you, but I want it to go well with me!
So, wherever I need to get back in alignment with God’s commands I want to do so, even that I might experience maximum wellness!
Cure for Worry
As I was thinking about the sin of worry, I started to get worried that I was worrying! Well, that didn’t lead to much freedom, but just tightened my thoughts into a greater stress ball.
But then I was reminded of God’s ability to set people free from sin. He can cure folks of all kinds of sin – even habitual sin and addictions. So, of course He can deliver me from worry!
And what’s the cure?
Well, it tells us right there in the verse what we are to be doing instead of being anxious: we are to be presenting our requests to God with thanksgiving, prayer, and petition.
So, I guess you could say I decided to change tactics – instead of focusing on not worrying or just letting my mind mull over a perplexing quandary, what if I focus on praying about my concerns, talking to God about them, and also give Him thanks?
Whenever I may start to “think” without God, I want to invite Him in to my situation through prayer rather than letting my own flesh end up in a ball of mental angst.
And guess what? Worry has diminished.
Instead of fighting the battle with “I’m worrying…Stop worrying, Lisa,” I have chosen to pray and give thanks. And I have been talking to God about the situations I’m facing – even those about which I don’t have answers – inviting Him into my thoughts. I’m finding that He speaks to me when I’ve confessed my sin and inquire of Him. And sometimes His response to my bringing requests before Him is the revelation of His truth in accordance with His Word…even sometimes providing specific, relevant feedback for things that could have just been stressful worries.
Have you found the cure for worry?
That is such a great verse, Lisa! I’ve found that when I focus being thankful, my heart gets happy even if there are still stressful things going on. It never ceases to amaze me how much flat out wisdom is in the Bible!
I like how you put that “when I focus on being thankful, my heart gets happy even if there are still stressful things going on.” It is incredible the peace of God available to us that can be ours regardless of the circumstances.
Lisa ~ this sin is debilitating and a sure separating factor from the peace of God. The only cure for me is to separate myself completely from “Me”, relying wholly on Christ.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24, 25)
Also…..
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20, 21)
So….He is able and I am not……
So true – we must die to self and live in Christ to be more like Him and as we do it is amazing to see how we can experience greater abundant life. Thanks for sharing from the Word.
And thank You, Lord, that You are able to keep us from stumbling, to present us faultless before You through Christ, to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. We are weak, but He is strong!
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ “Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them— Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41:10-13)
I love that part where He tells us He holds our hand.
We really don’t have to fear.
Oh, praise God for His Word that helps us realign with the Truth!
Lisa, I thank God for you and how your share your heart, well it is His heart. I so needed this today as I will be flying out on Saturday to Indiana to usher Linda Crafts mother into heaven at her funeral, I can cast all my cares on Him because He cares for me. Praying that many will here from God and receive His son Jesus. Thank you again for this message, may He continue to guide you and to give us His heart through you. Blessings as you continue to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ginny
Wow – I love how God was able to use this for where you are today! Praying now for the funeral in Indiana, and that God would indeed use it to bring others into eternal life with Him! What a joy and privilege we have to share this life with others. Blessings in Christ to you, too, dear friend.