Let's just say that life is not simple. As we grow into adulthood it seems that life just doesn't get easier. Time and time again we find ourselves making mistakes, trying to please everyone and worrying about what tomorrow will bring. Unfortunately, we are not the captains of life.
We might be able to control some areas of our lives but definitely not everything. For some people, including me, this is not easy to swallow.
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Years ago I would worry about every aspect of my life, controllable and uncontrollable. I stressed over work, school, family, and relationships. I had to learn the hard way that stress destroys rather than heal.
Our bodies show signs of stress like weight loss and gain, change in mood and lack of energy. Stress can decrease our immune system which allows easy access for viruses to do some damage. Some stress is carried on the face by expression causing wrinkles and deep lines. We can literally wear our frustrations and emotions. Well, I did not want to have wrinkles in my twenties, so how did I stop taking things to heart?
There is a question in the Bible that is a great representation of why we should not worry, Matthew 6:27 "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Will worrying about the essay that is due in the morning add more time to the night? Will stressing over traffic make it move quicker? Can worrying about bills cast money into your bank account? No.
Am I stating that you should not care and never try your hardest? No, but God wants us to be successful, flourish in our relationships and live a happy life but we have to let Him be a part of it. Jesus tells us that we will face trials and hardships but to take heart that He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Jesus died so that we wouldn't have to worry about what this world throws at us.
I think we all know that phrase "let go and let God." Simple. God doesn't want us to worry nor stress about life. We are told in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything" and Matthew 6:25, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry." God wants us to rely on him in every circumstance. When we rely on His plan rather than our own personal agenda, we are able to lean on His guidance and wisdom.
Next time you are anxious about work or can't sleep because you have more on your plate than you can handle, try praying. Let God calm your soul and allow you to think with a clear mind and heart. Our instinct is to worry, yes, but God's will is so much better than we could ever imagine. There is love. There is hope. There is peace.
