“Do Not Worry”

You can do a quick Google search for “verses about worry” and find the Bible has a LOT to say about the matter.

But, whom among us can actually live a worry-free life?

Consider your day so far.

Be honest.

You’ve given in to worry, haven’t you?

I know I have.

I worry the most about the “enoughs.”

Am I doing enough as a mom / wife / friend?

Am I doing enough for homeschool?

Am I doing enough to propel my businesses forward?

(*AHEM! ENOUGH WITH THE “ENOUGHS” ALREADY!)

A lot can be said to address the “enoughs,” but I want to focus on the worry for a minute.

“Worry is worshipping the problem,” Toby Mac once quoted.

The Shema — oh my gosh — RABBIT TRAIL! — autocorrect wants to change “shema” to “shame” and it occurred to me that shame disappears when we follow the Shema. 🤯

Ok. Back on track.

The Shema (or “The Greatest Commandment”) says:

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

The Shema shows us where our worship is rightfully placed, doesn’t it?

The antidote to worry is in the Shema — love God FULLY, with every fiber of your being!

Therefore, “do not worry” is an invitation to closer relationship with God.

And, not God as your personal genie, who only exists to soothe your anxiety, but God as your kind Father + King.

Consider the humans you love.

Do you love them because of what they can do for you?

NO! Certainly not!

You love spending time with them.

You love laughing with them.

You love learning with them.

You love serving them.

And, when you have a scuttle or make a mistake, there is richness in restoration, right? It draws your relationship deeper when forgiveness is offered and amends are made.

So, how do we relate to God like this?

We pray!

Guess there must be something to when Paul tell us to “pray without ceasing,” huh?

Some of you reading this are feeling REAL uncomfortable right now.

“There’s no way I can spend all day in prayer.”

Listen. I don’t know if this is theologically correct, but I’m going to suggest it anyway…

It seems to me that there’s something in which I’m going to call “God-consciousness,” that I would argue is the same, or at least closely related to prayer.

You’re doing laundry.

The kids are playing.

You’re thinking about your mile-long to-do list.

You’re not necessarily talking to God, but you acknowledge that God is near, and you’re open to hearing His voice.

This is “God-consciousness.”

Your heart is surrendered to Him.

It’s like when your husband doesn’t necessarily want you to do the project with him, but he wants you to at least be out there with him — there’s a proximity connection.

God is omnipresent.

Which means He’s there next to you while you review your to-do list.

Notice the moments when you’re tempted to give in to worry. Don’t judge yourself for it. Don’t shame yourself for it. See it as an invitation to invite God into the conversation in your head.

It’s not about erasing anxiety, though, that’s certainly a welcomed side-effect.

It’s about fulfilling the greatest commandment and living the life we were designed to live.

It’s about Him.

Soli Deo Gloria!

💛 Mama Hooper

🎵 What a Friend We Have in Jesus 🎶

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.