Category: Worrying

Live In The Moment

(Today’s Devotional Submitted by Guest Writer: Cheryl Spafford, Minister to Girls, Champion Forest Baptist Church) “‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Deut 31:6 (NIV) Ever since I was in High School there have been two quotes that have either been tucked away in the pages of my Bible, attached to my dashboard, or taped up on the nearest mirror or bulletin board. They’re both written on the same card, one on each side. Depending on the circumstances of the moment I have one or the other always visibly before me while getting ready to take on the day or spending time in God’s Word. The first quote is by the late Jim Elliot and it reads, “Receive this moment’s experience with both hands. Don’t waste it. Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.” The second quote is by his wife Elisabeth and it reads, “A quiet heart is content with what God gives. It is enough. All is grace. All is under my Father’s control. My heart is at peace. My Father is in charge, how simple.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve prayed for courage. I need courage to stand up for what’s right, courage to speak truth, courage to live by faith, and courage to be still and simply wait on the Lord when everything within me wants to run. I don’t want to be fearful nor found lacking in faith. Sometimes I feel that if the Lord would just give me a monthly booster shot of courage that I could be so much more effective for Him in my Christian walk. What are some areas in your life that challenge your faith and reliance on God’s sovereignty? If we look to the Father and allow our confidence and security to be found in Him, then anything else we have or don’t have doesn’t really matter. Find out about the true peace we can have in the Lord when we choose not to be afraid because the Lord is near (Php. 4:4-9). Our security is in Christ. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Contentment Joy Worrying

Considering Contentment

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Phil 4:11-12 (NIV) What are you waiting for? Will it ever be enough? If you have to move one inch to have joy, you will not find it. Happiness is based on happenstance. If the conditions are just right, then you may be happy for a season. However, joy is not connected to circumstances. Joy is the product of living a life of contentment founded upon your relationship with Christ. Paul experienced the palace and the prison. He knew what it meant to live with much and to live on very little. Paul had experienced popularity and persecution. He knew suffering on a first name basis. Yet, in the midst of shifting circumstances, Paul learned the secret of being content. He did not allow the external realities to rob him of the internal relationship he had with Jesus. Paul had surrendered his life to the Lordship of Christ and yielded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s contentment was demonstrated through the experience of peace in the midst of the storms of life. What is your level of contentment? Have you learned the secret of being content in any and every situation? Are you waiting for ideal circumstances to develop? Are you postponing your joy until a future accomplishment comes to fruition? Don’t hesitate! Don’t delay your decision to embrace contentment. Stop worrying and fretting over the things you have no control over. Rest in the peace of God and the all-sufficient provision of God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Worrying

The Weight of Worry

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 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? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matt 6:25-27 (NIV) Worry has a way of wearing us down. We fixate on something that we have no control over and invite it to consume our thoughts. Our emotional reserves are taxed as worry siphons our energy. The byproduct of worry is erosion. Worry is like rocking in a rocking chair; it will keep you busy, but you won’t get anywhere. Worry is an indicator of unbelief. Worry is a banner that waves declaring that we don’t trust God. Faith and worry cannot co-exist. You can’t fully rely upon God and worry at the same time. Jesus commands us: “Do not worry.” Your heavenly Father knows what you need. Do you trust God to do what He says He will do? Do you believe God has the resources necessary to meet your needs? Are you confident that God will meet your needs? You know God is able. Maybe you wonder if God is willing. Worry is a choice. Trust is a choice. We can choose to worry or we can choose to take God at His Word and trust Him. Be sensitive to God’s invitation for you to join Him in His resolution of your trying circumstances. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor (This devotional was originally posted in ’07 or ’08. I’m taking a break from writing for a season of personal renewal.) Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Worrying

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 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? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Matt 6:25-27 (NIV) Worry has a way of wearing us down. We fixate on something that we have no control over and invite it to consume our thoughts. Our emotional reserves are taxed as worry siphons our energy. The byproduct of worry is erosion. Worry is like rocking in a rocking chair; it will keep you busy, but you don’t get anywhere. Worry is an indicator of unbelief. Worry is a banner that waves declaring that we don’t trust God. Faith and worry cannot co-exist. You can’t fully rely upon God and worry at the same time. Jesus commands us: “Do not worry.” Your heavenly Father knows what you need. Do you trust God to do what He says He will do? Do you believe God has the resources necessary to meet your needs? Are you confident that God will meet your needs? You know God is able. Maybe you wonder if God is willing. Worry is a choice. Trust is a choice. We can choose to worry or we can choose to take God at His Word and trust Him. Be sensitive to God’s invitation for you to join Him in His resolution of your trying circumstances. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care