DEVOTION / Let God worry!
Anxious thoughts
Charles Schulz was a beloved author and cartoonist who created the memorable Charlie Brown cartoons. Still today, his writings stir joy and happiness in the hearts of many people. Who can forget Schroeder at his piano or Charlie Brown shopping for a Christmas tree? How great it must have been for this cartoonist to live every day in the funny fantasy world of Peanuts. But that was far from the truth. The real Charles Schulz suffered from an extreme case of anxiety. He said every morning he woke up in a funeral procession. He even wrote a book titled “My Anxieties Have Anxieties.” He often claimed that his problem with worry was expressed in his characters.
We all have days when we become anxious about something. Writing a test, playing a solo in front of an audience, seeing the doctor, or going on a big trip can cause stress. That is natural. However, letting worry gain control over our lives is not what God intended for us. He wants us to give him all our worries.
Martin Luther once said, “Pray, and let God worry.” Carrying worry is like having a huge weight on our shoulders. We must learn to lift that weight off and hand it over to God, saying, “Lord, I have this big problem that has been bothering me. You said I should cast my cares on you? Well, here’s a big one. You handle it!”
Give God your problems
Worry demonstrates our weakness of faith. Jesus called it “little faith.” It is a useless and unproductive sign of us relying more on ourselves than on God. Jesus wants us to experience the peace he has given us.
Whenever you get caught up in worry, remember that God wants you to give him your problems. He will take care of them. First Peter 5:7 reminds us, Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (NLT). Then you can live your days in happiness. Each morning you can wake up with a smile and say, This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it! (Psalm 118:24).
by Reynold R. Kremer