“…do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present (surrender) yourselves TO GOD as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” (Rom. 6:13) A very common theme throughout scripture is the inspiration for us to surrender ourselves to God. We must relinquish ourselves to God so we may pursue truth and righteousness above all else. In this quest, we may also cast ALL OUR TROUBLES upon God as we trust in Him in complete surrender. “…humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, CASTING ALL YOUR CARE upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)
What am I going to do? Have you ever had that thought? A crisis looms in your finances or your job, you received a bad report about your health. All day and night, you contemplate what to do. Concern moves to worry, and worry transforms into all-out fear. Before you know it, panic sets in, and you’re in total torment. This is why Paul instructs us, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, PRAY about everything. TELL GOD what you need, and THANK HIM for all He has done.” (Phil. 4:6) And for all He will do!
As a believer in the Lord, this is not how we are meant to live! God’s plan has always been that we live in perfect peace and find deliverance in our trials. That’s why God is passionately against worry. It does not produce anything but stress, strain and death. Jesus preached against it; Paul preached against it. The whole Bible is against worry because SATAN DESIGNED IT. Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts BE TROUBLED. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” (John 14:1) Jesus asks us, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “Therefore DO NOT WORRY, For your heavenly Father knows (your needs)…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be ADDED TO YOU.” (Matt. 6:27, 31-33)
-Bill Stockham