Have you noticed most of the events we consume ourselves with worry over never happen? But what about the huge amounts of wasted energy? The sleepless nights, exacting a toll on our work or relationships. Ugh! But what if you could change your behavior? What if you could exchange worry for trust?
Why Should I Exchange Worry for Trust?
Most people worry. But as I found out through painful experience, if you leave it unchecked, worry transforms into a demanding force. Have you experienced this?
Perhaps you were concerned about your baby not sleeping well. Maybe you fretted your dream job would be given to a colleague. When the worst-case scenario does not happen, your worrying vanishes, forgotten. Well, likely until the next troubling event.
But what if the event you worry about does happen; when the diagnosis is cancer? What if the depression is not cured? Or, like in our family, the healing arrives after a decade of suffering?
I learned my worrying does not change the outcome of any situation.
Neither does yours.
Don’t get me wrong we do not throw our hands up and do nothing when we stop worrying.
We must do our due diligence; pray, and find the best doctors. We show up to appointments and follow their advice. Then, we continue to pray.
But we do not have to worry.
So, what do we do in the excruciatingly difficult situations? The ones we dreaded.
This is a question I grappled with when month after month of treatment made no apparent dent in our son’s depression.
How Can I Trust God?
Friends recommended I should trust God. Sound advice. But I just didn’t seem to be able to follow it consistently. Almost as soon as I spoke my desire to trust Him, worrying rushed back in. It was frustrating.
Old habits do not disappear easily.
I grappled with the dilemma. My world felt dark. I needed to find the light, the hope I knew was there.
As the internal war raged, I reflected on some of God’s answers to prayer in easier situations. He had answered. Yes, some of the answers were unexpected. But they were good.
I wondered if I knew God better, would I be able to trust Him more?
In this verse God promises us if we look for Him seriously, we will find Him:
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jerimiah 29:13 (NIV)
I Sought God, Here is What I Found
So, I did. I leaned in and sought God utilizing the energy and passion I previously used to fuel my worrying.
Here is what I found out about God.
- He is good. His goodness infuses all His thoughts about us. It is foundational in His plans for us. His plans are always good. Even when they don’t look like it. No matter the outcome.
- He is all-knowing; omniscient. He knows what has happened to us in the past, what is happening right now, and what will happen in the future. As a result, God’s plans are perfect. No eventuality is ever overlooked. He is never surprised by our circumstances.
- He is sovereign. His perfect plan will unfold in His timing. The timing may not be ours. (My timing would almost invariably be at the speed of light.)
- He is all-powerful; omnipotent. He has all the power to execute His plans. All of them. Even the ones we have labeled as impossible – beyond hope.
- He is love. God loves us more than any human ever will. His love is integral to everything He thinks and does. His plans and thoughts reflect His love. You can read more about God’s love here:
As these truths filtered into my soul, I realized God is completely trustworthy. My habit of worrying was decimated.
I will not always understand God’s plan or timing. Yet, I can rest in the knowledge of who He is. Even as I am learning more about Him.
Even in hard situations.
Over time, I was able to exchange worry for trust.
Are you ready to do the same?
He’s waiting to help you.
