Yesterday my husband taught a lesson in our Sunday School class. It was about the passage in Matthew 6 that talks about worry — and how we shouldn’t do it.
There were a lot of great points made by him and others, but one thing he had written in his PowerPoint really struck me: “Worry can be evidence that we have believed a lie about ourselves, about the world, or about God.”
It made me stop. It made me think. It made me ask myself, “What lies do I believe?”
About myself? That I’m not enough. That I’m not a good enough writer to ever be published, that I’m not a good enough mom to Elliott, that I’m not a good enough wife, friend, daughter — you name it, I’ve probably felt it.
About the world? That I’m all alone. That no one really cares what happens to me. Or how about, that the world doesn’t need me. There’s no place for me. I’m a misfit. I don’t fit in. I’ve felt many of these things as well.
And what lies do I sometimes find myself believing about God? That maybe he doesn’t really love me. Maybe I can’t trust him. Maybe he won’t work everything out for good — especially when things are so, so bad.
The cool thing about this is that I’m starting to recognize the root of my worries. When we can examine the root for what it is — a bunch of lies! — we can replace it with truth.
Instead of believing I’m not enough, I can replace it with the truth that I am chosen. I am a daughter of the King, and THAT defines my worth.
Instead of believing that the world is full of only darkness, I can remember all the good things that people have done for me. I can CHOOSE to focus on the light — not forgetting that the darkness is there, but choosing to place my trust in a higher power.
And instead of believing that God doesn’t care, I can believe him when he says, “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?” (Matthew 6:26)
Friends, let’s make a choice to cast off worry and embrace God’s truth. Because in the words of someone I respect and love greatly (wink), you can’t “add a single hour to your life” by worrying!
Your Turn: What lie do you find yourself believing that leads to worry?
Love seeing you back on your blog, Lindsay, especially because this is where I first "met" you. 🙂 As I was reading this, something struck me. You said, among other things, you've believed the lie that you're not a good enough friend, which is amazing to me, because you are one of my very best friends. I'm so thankful for you and your friendship. You've meant so much to me these past few years. I couldn't imagine where I'd be without you. 🙂 You can wipe that lie off your list.
Aw, you're the sweetest! So blessed to be one of your best friends too. See you soooooon!