Don't Sweat It!!
Talkin’ Turkey (www.christiantalkinturkey.com)
w/High Tide Country Radio (www.hightidecountry.net)
Trisha Sharp
20 May 2023
Don’t Sweat It
One of my biggest failings as a Christian is…I worry. I worry a lot! And I worry about EVERYTHING!! So when I was going through my email this morning. I found one of the pages I subscribe to called “Crosswalk.com”. This particular email came in on 03 May, but today…I found it fitting. Let’s see if I can find some ways to not only help myself on this subject, but maybe help you a little too.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever” (Psalm 23:1-6).
Many have heard this passage at funerals…but it has a lot more meaning than you think! We should let God be not only our salvation, but our peace. With God, we won’t be found wanting, because He will provide for us. Sitting in a nature setting, watching the grasses flow back and forth, sitting beside a body of water…watch the waves move to and fro, Listening to the birds sing, or the leaves rustling in the wind. Listening to the rain works too. All of these things can provide you with God’s peace. After all…these things were made by Him and provided to us. Why wouldn’t they calm us and give us the peace that God wants us to have?
Pastor Frank Santora says, that surrounding yourself with the majesty of God’s creation, you can fill your heart with the peace of God despite the chaos and worry of modern life. He says that it’s critical to learn to intentionally seek the peace of God as an antidote to all of the cares of this world. Worry only paralyzes us with what if’s and how will’s that we will never know the answer to anyway. So why, in the words of Joyce Meyer, let the devil steal your peace?
Worrying is a waste of time. Time well spent on other things. Worry can cause health issues. And it could be fatal. Worry is essentially self-harm. Without peace we are unequipped to handle the chaos of our world and our lives. When that chaos enters our hearts, the results can be catastrophic. We aren’t capable of functioning the way God created us to function. If we can control the turmoil on the inside we will have the ability to deal with the concerns on the outside.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:5-8).
Worry keeps our minds distracted and causes difficulty of standing in faith. Our peace is one of the most powerful weapons against the attacks of our enemies. God’s peace is only found when we let go and let God lead us in every area of our lives. Here are a couple of Bible references that might also help you:
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
“…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Having calm during a crisis, is completely against human nature. It can cause you to panic while you are going through whatever it is that has you worrying. Maybe you’re losing you mind because of what’s happened, but there is God’s peace. With this peace, you are aware of your situation. God’s peace protects your heart and mind in Jesus. The peace of God gives us the power to incapacitate the enemy and subdue every problem sent our way. It’s one of the most powerful gifts God gives us in this life. It is a peace unlike that of the world:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Don’t let ANYONE steal your peace! Be strong in your faith!! Be strong in Christ!!!
Go and walk in peace…
