The truth behind worry

Devotional:

For those who've ever struggled with anxiety, you have a very close relationship with worry. I'd compare it to a child's favorite blankie. No matter where they go, they'll drag it with them. In this same way, worry gets dragged along for the ride in whatever situation you're facing or place you visit. Without it, life almost feels abnormal. I know this void, because I've felt it before.

In Matthew 6:25 Jesus tells us to not worry about our lives. When looking at the inter-linear text, the Greek Word used for "worry" is merimnaó. (Strongs #3309 ) One of the meanings of this word, is to be distracted. As we know it, distractions are put in place to take our minds off something more important. In this case, the goal of worry is to remove our focus from The Kingdom of God. But even with this knowledge, there's something deeper here.

Simply put, the obsession with worry is a delicately constructed idol. You clear space in your mind, environment and life just to give it the perfect fit. You create the perfect statue as you build one worry on top of the other. As your day goes on, you continuously glance over at it, just to make sure you're giving it attention. You spend hours meditating in it's presence, allowing it to guide and further construct your thoughts. You even buy it precious adornments by the invested interest you have in it.

You see, Jesus doesn't only tell us to not worry because it's a distraction, but to also protect you from this deeper truth. "Whatever distracts you, has enough of your attention to become an idol to you."

It's time to break up with worry...

Scripture(s) Meditation:

““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭25‬-‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Song(s) Meditation: Let Go by DeWayne Woods

To listen to today's song meditation, click here.

Reflection Question(s): We invite you to discuss below.

Why do you worry so much? What effective role has worry played in your life? What do you find yourself worrying about the most? How does worrying help those situations? What will breaking up with worry for good, do for your life?

Sun'Ray💕