Lesson

This past Sunday I got the opportunity to give the lesson in the Ladies' bible class at church.

Let me tell you, it is so hard to come up with a topic for a group of women in a different culture who can only understand about half (or less) of what you are saying.

So I decided to give a lesson over something that I struggle with...worry. 

I never thought of myself as a worrier until recently. The devil has really used my mind to get to me this past year. 

One thought will turn into several outlandish conclusions that results in countless wasted hours of worrying.

People never really think of worry as a sin. I know I didn't, just a bad habit that can be laughable at times. But, it's so much more than that.

It's pointless. It wastes our time. It doesn't help anyone. It can make you physically sick. It allows you to try and fix your own problems instead of giving them over to God. And, it is the opposite of trust.

I have learned that instead of worrying and stressing yourself out over nothing you can...

1.) Pray. Nothing brings you more peace than talking out your problems with the one who loves you most and knows what's best for you. But, we need to learn how to pray. God is not Santa Claus. He doesn't want a list of what you want. He wants a relationship with you. A friendship. You wouldn't ask your best friend to fix your problems. You would just tell them about what is stressing you and they would offer a listening ear and a perspective that you might not be able to see. We should offer God our pain in humble sincerity rather than in a "Please just let this one thing happen" prayer. (This deserves it's own post)

2.) Study. There are SO many verses on worry. Probably because it is such a common problem. Here are a few that comfort me.
1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
Romans 8:28 "God works for the good of those who love him."
and my all time favorite verse
Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."

And last, but most importantly...
3.) Trust. After we pray we have to let go and TRUST that God can handle it on his own without our two cents thrown in there. Without trust, we are back to square one. Back to thinking that we are strong enough to solve our own problems. Above all, trust.