I chatted with a close friend while standing in line at a local coffeehouse. But then a sliver of worry pierced the moment. It had been several hours since I left home. I wondered if I had been away too long. I pictured my kids wailing and unhappy. The “what ifs” started rolling. Seconds later, I spotted a sign above the cash register. It read: Worry Is a Misuse of Imagination.
I had to agree. Worry sometimes involves dreaming up problems that may never exist. It also includes legitimate concerns over trouble in daily life. Jesus said, however, “[Don’t] worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear” (Matthew 6:25).
We’re not supposed to lose sleep over those things because fretting won’t fix our problems. It’s ineffective. To emphasize this point, Jesus asked a question: “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Matthew 6:27). Personalizing Jesus’ question may help us avoid wasting our time with worry. Consider these questions: If I worry about being single, will I meet Mr. Right? If I’m preoccupied with getting pregnant, will we conceive? If I worry about finding work, will I get a job?
Jesus assures us that worrying won’t work, but faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Speaking to nail-biters like myself, He inquired, “Why do you have so little faith?” (Matthew 6:30). It’s a good question. As Christians we have already learned to trust God for our salvation, and evidence of His provision in the here-and-now is all around us, for He faithfully clothes the flowers and feeds the birds.
Since God provides for the fragile and fleeting parts of His creation, we don’t have to waste our brainwaves on worry. Instead, we can give all our concerns to God, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
More:
Read Isaiah 26:3 to see how it’s possible to retrain our minds when we tend to worry. Read Psalm 37:5-7 to learn about some alternatives to worry.
Next:
Why is it impossible for worry and faith to coexist in the heart of a believer? How does worrying affect our relationship with God?
nivla on March 26, 2012 at 4:55 am
I have “deadly” deadlines to defy… need to finish office tasks
by tomorrow (tasks needing a week’s effort).
I didn’t open my laptop last weekend to do work, I said to my self – “weekend is weekend”
Sunday is sunday. Now, I feel like cramming and helpless.
But just the same, Thanks Jen for this. “Worry Is a Misuse of Imagination.”
I’ll trust God for eveything. I will trade my sorrow and worries for his Joy and Peace.
After all, each day has enough troubles of its own.
nattykins on March 26, 2012 at 10:09 am
Thank you for this reminder. I am someone who has on-going health issues, that make me worry and have anxiety constantly. This devotion is something I needed to read, for I struggle putting all my trust to God, for I want to be in control of my actions. I pray one day I will be able to do so.
jennifer benson schuldt on March 26, 2012 at 3:19 pm
Hi nattykins,
When I read your post, Peter’s words came to mind: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7). This is easy to talk about, but very hard to do when the struggle with worry goes on and on, and especially when the “cares” relate to our physical health.
I pray that the LORD will comfort you, and give you the strength to trust in Him completely. I pray that people in your life would be His “hands and feet”–ministering to your physical and emotional needs. I pray that you will experience His peace–the peace that goes beyond all of our understanding (Philippians 4:7).
jennifer benson schuldt on March 26, 2012 at 3:29 pm
Hi Nivla,
So sorry to hear you’re experiencing a time crunch. It’s serious business when other people depend on the work we do. I’m encouraged when I think about a passage in Philippians that reads: “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything” (Phil 4:6). According to this verse, worry is optional. We don’t have to do it. 🙂 God gives us a great alternative—prayer. Those tiny prayers, whispered in the quietness of our hearts, as we go through our days really DO matter. God hears them, and He is more than willing to answer them, even when we have deadlines to meet!
jennifer benson schuldt on March 26, 2012 at 3:32 pm
GChoo on March 27, 2012 at 10:05 am
Thanks Jennifer, never thought that worry is a misuse of imagination. After what you have said, it is so true.
Just to share about my day yesterday. I was to pick up my son at the airport at 5.10pm after work. And, no matter how well one can plan, sometimes it can be turned against us. So, time was a factor yesterday as i drove to the airport. As i was driving towards the airport, i could see the traffic congestion on the other side of the road back home. Oh dear, not good as i would need to see a client at 6.30pm. In my mind, i was starting to panic abit and all the ‘should haves’ came to my mind. I was glad to have prayed for God to give me wisdom to do what was necessary, instead of flaring my temper with my son later and make each other miserable. When i was there, i was delayed by the teacher who was determined to update me about the trip. Thank God i was calm and God seemed to stretch the time longer and the traffic congestion seemed to ease by the time we headed home with enough time for me to get to my appointment. So very glad i left my worries to God. What a timely reminder. Thank you God.
winn collier on April 1, 2012 at 2:23 pm
I do love that quote. A friend once told me that one of my gifts – and my curse – was my imagination. What I give my imagination to makes all the difference.
jennifer benson schuldt on April 1, 2012 at 8:10 pm
I can really relate to the “imagination issue”. 🙂
slaw on June 6, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Thanks for the regroup of the mind and spirit. I have been batling with disability and whether to return to work….. My doc says no but the gov’t say yes…. so I was fretting on whether GOD would approve the case or provide me with a job to support myself…. but the truth is that I am rappling with my faith in GOD period…. I trust you LORD to do what is needed in order for me to have shelter, clothing and food…. I hope not to lose anything but if it does happen I am assering that this was in his will…. What GOD has for ME it is for ME…. No gov’t, No Devil, and Nobody can stop GOD from taking care of ME the way he chooses to. So Satan you lost another worry wart….. Thank you Jesus for the rest and peace in knowing that not only did you die for me but you promised me that I will have what i need to survive…..
jennifer benson schuldt on June 6, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Slaw,
You mentioned that you’re struggling with faith in God. There’s a verse I love that goes like this: “When doubts fill my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer” (Psalm 94:19). God can meet us and comfort us in the midst of our doubt. As you are waiting to see what happens with your disability and job, here’s another passage that may encourage your heart: Isaiah 40:29-31. Those verses talk about how people who trust in the LORD will find new strength. That’s kind of amazing if you think about it. Trusting in the LORD actually means more strength for us. On the other hand, worry tends to drain us of our ability to deal with difficulty. Worry “takes”, but trusting in God “gives”. I pray that you will experience His peace today in the midst of your trials.