“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
Matthew 6:27 NLT
Everything seemed so bright. We had a wonderful life, complete with happy kids, good salaries, and a hopeful future. But with one crisis after another, that life faded away, leaving behind a pile of debt, unemployment, arguments, and so much anxiety.
What happened to my life, God? Did we do something wrong? Tell me what kind of magic-button prayer will get us out of this mess!
I cried every day. I begged God to rescue us from the land of uncertainty and give us back our old life. I coped with the only strategy I knew: worrying. I thought I could protect myself from more pain if I imagined all the worst-case scenarios in advance: What if we can’t pay this month’s bills or the medical test? What if we need a new transmission? What if our life never gets better? However, obsessing over my “what if” worries didn’t make me feel better. Instead, I felt worse!
Maybe you’re like me, faced with an uncertain season of life and stuck in the middle of hardship or heartache. Jesus understands. Jesus knew one day His closest friends would be fearful of the future and worries would overwhelm their hearts and minds. So, before His death, He made this promise: I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid (John 14:27 NLT).
The peace Jesus gives provides supernatural calm in the midst of chaos and hardship. It’s the kind of peace we absolutely need when we’re not sure what will happen next.
It took a few years of stressed-out days and sleepless nights for me to learn to surrender my worrying ways in favor of Jesus’s peace. Though our difficult season continued, God was faithful to remind me of His promised peace.
We can rest assured that God’s promise doesn’t have an expiration date. It never runs empty. And when our “what if” worries try to steal our calm, we are only a prayer away from unshakable faith and receiving shalom from the Prince of Peace.
by Barb Roose, as published in 100 Days of Strength in Any Struggle
Our new book, 100 Days of Strength in Any Struggle, will take you on a journey of learning to see God clearer and to know Him deeper in the middle of your struggles. As you experience pain, move through daily challenges, or get bogged down by anxieties big or small, you’ll learn to find Him right in the middle of it, ready to strengthen you and give you rest.
You’ll find 100 devotions divided up into 10 key themes all designed to give you the spiritual strength you need for any struggle you face. The devotions are paired with Scripture and journaling space so you can process with God and have a written record of how He strengthens you!
Order your copy today; we cannot wait for you to read this book.
This hit home. How I still play the ‘what if’ game But I’m learning too. I don’t give up on God. I stay in the word, I meditate on His promises, I get them down in my soul and I keep on keepin’ on
Will be getting the book ☺️
It’s so easy to get trapped in the cycle of worry, yet I’ve found most of fears never happen. I’m learning not to let things steal my joy.
I met Barb when I attended her workshop pre-pandemic at Church of the Resserection in Kansas City. She certainly lives her faith and shares her journey with truth! I appreciate her reminders around worry! And look forward to reading this book. (I have an Amazon gift card so I’ll pick it up on Amazon.)
I hope, Barb, you will continue to experience the peace that only our Lord can give. And I hope you will be richly blessed in this new year!
“We can rest assured that God’s promise doesn’t have an expiration date. It never runs empty. And when our “what if” worries try to steal our calm, we are only a prayer away from unshakable faith and receiving shalom from the Prince of Peace.” Love these truths you shared, Barb. Thank you!
Thank you Barb. My husband and I are going through a season that is soooo unfamiliar. Not to say we haven’t had our challenges, but medical and employment related is very different and very hard. The outcome seems so far away and so out of our control. We must follow the appointment schedule from doctors and employment is at a halt.
I have to give it to God fully, with my heart and soul and mood. My plan and amazing ideas are not on the table!!!
Thank God for prayer and my sisters in Christ. Thank God He knows how to calm me. He reminds me I am not alone. He gently speaks to me “open your hands daughter. Give it to me. Turn your will and life over to me…you can also throw your husband in too”
God is good \0/
Janet, I am so sorry you are going through this difficult time. My heart goes out to you, but more importantly, our Lord’s heart goes out to you too! “My God will perfect that which concerneth me. We are His, and He will always make a way!! Prayers for you and answers from God!!
Janet,
Prayers that God’s peace can permeate your whole body, mind & soul. Asking God to put His healing touch on your family. Take away any & all pain. May He guide your steps to the next job that He wants you.
Blessings 🙂
In Courage,
We all tend to worry about situations. Research shows that most of our “What if” worries never come true. We don’t need to play the what if game, but God please help me. Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Only Jesus can give us true rest in the midst of trials.
Blessings 🙂