Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Worry is the besetting sin of every human being. For those of us who are children of God, if we are honest, it is a sin which we have to repent of every day. Often we express it: “I worry that ….” But usually we worry even when we do not realize that is what we are doing. That is the deceit of it all. I have been waging a battle in my thought life about this ugly habit. I have gained some ground because I have become sensitive to the Holy Spirit who has been dealing with me very forcefully telling me very specifically: “Worry does not please me. It has no place in your life.”

So what are some of the practical steps you can take to kill off this habit? Firstly, preach to yourself what the Word says: “We live by faith, not by sight.”  (2 Corinthians 5:7). Our faith is in a loving Heavenly Father who sees and knows each of his children and their circumstances. Recognize that pretty much everything we worry about has to do with the future. We have no control whatsoever over the future because that is God’s prerogative. We cannot see one minute ahead.

Secondly, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3: 5 – 6).  I have learned a lot about trusting the Lord for the issues that concern my own life, but when it comes to the life of my children, I confess that has been harder to do. Why? Honestly, it is because even though they are fully grown, I have been trying to get them to see and accept that my recommendations as to what they should do in certain situations is the best thing for their future. There it is!  I have confessed! What do I know about their future? Absolutely nothing! So I must trust the Lord with that too and simply pray for them. Philippians 4:6 – 7 is instructive in this regard. Friend, identify the focus of your worry and trust the Lord with it. Find words to express it.

For those who are parents of grown children, pray this prayer with me: “Lord please forgive me for worrying. Help me to daily kill off this habit of wanting to control the future and the lives of those you have allowed me to love. Help me to release them to live the lives you have ordained for them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”