Before 2020 even started, God gave me a direction for the year that having lived through what we have in these months proved to be extremely prescient. It has become part of a list of daily scriptures I read through and declare over myself and family.
It comes from Matthew 6 in the Message translation,
…Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Matthew 6:33-34 (MSG)
You may find yourself worrying about the state of the world, your health, your family, your house, your pets–you get it–there’s no shortage of things about which you can worry. Is God insensitive to our feelings? Is He uncaring or unkind to tell us, “don’t worry”?
God, how can you say, “don’t worry” when there is so much chaos and crazy!
He isn’t simply saying, “suck it up and move you on, you baby. Stop worrying!” No, He offers us a divine exchange. You bring your fear, anxiety, worries, and doubts into His presence and He gives you a new perspective. Your attention becomes captivated not by what bad is going on but by what He is doing right now, at this moment.
Just in case you rushed through the verses, Jesus said, “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.” That’s seeing as God sees, acting as God acts, and living in His abundance. How?
Steep your life.
Like a tea bag placed in boiling water, it may seem unfair and uncomfortable, but all that flavorful goodness He put inside you is about to change your surroundings and give it the same aroma and flavor, permeating everything and permanently altering it. You ever tried to un-steep a cup of tea? Not happening!
Worry isolates and insulates you from surrendering to His heart, but when you let go to embrace Him, even in the most difficult times, you change and things around you change.
Fear can too easily masquerade as wisdom in our culture, but you and I are called to a higher perspective, to live in God-reality. You are not being placed in situations meant for your destruction. You are called to live and dwell in Him so that life flows freely out of you.
God has equipped you for greater things than you can imagine! Trust Him and trust His process.
What do you think? Have you struggled in the past or continue to struggle with worry? What helps you when the fear comes knocking at the door? Please share in the comments!
Wow, Jason, what an awesome voice you have!!! God certainly has blessed you with multiple talents, and you are using them wisely, indeed.
As for worry, I learned a long time ago to take my concerns and fears to God in prayer; yes, sometimes I’m guilty of snatching them back, but the more I turn things over to the Lord, I do begin to see things through His perspective.
Wonderful reflection!
Thanks Martha! Yeah, it’s easy when the world is the state it is to “snatch” it back as you said, but He’s there waiting and willing to take it all for us and give us true peace. Appreciate your thoughts.