Read
Psalm 23:2 "He makes me lie down in green pastures, and he leads me beside quiet waters."
Think
Worry. That relentless, nagging feeling that follows us and inevitably gets in the way of our joy and peace. It's like a boss that keeps giving us tasks that we weren't designed to complete. But, guess what? We have the power to loosen the grip that worry has over our lives! Look at what we just read in Psalm 23:2. "He leads me beside the still waters." Notice that God is not behind us shouting, "Go!" but ahead of us gently saying, "Come." He's there in the thick of our lives, making a path, removing the stumbling blocks, pointing out the pitfalls, and guiding us every step of the way.
This beautiful picture is not new; God has done it time and time again. Take the children of Israel, for instance. He promised them daily food in the form of manna, but with the instruction, “Gather just enough for the day.” Fast forward to the New Testament. In Matthew 6:34, we see a similar idea. We are encouraged to focus on today, on what God is doing in the present, and leave tomorrow's worries for tomorrow. God is in control, so let tomorrow take care of itself. So often, we can focus on things that we ultimately have no control over. This is why the trust piece of our faith is so important.
This is easier said than done, of course. Worrying about the future is almost second nature to us. But every time we find ourselves anxiously looking ahead, remember that God's got this. He's in control. He's clearing the path, ready to handle whatever comes up. He's leading, so we can follow with confidence, secure in the fact that with God, we're in safe hands.
Apply
What are the things you're anxious about? Identify them and deliberately and verbally give them up to God. Write down all the times when God has proven himself to be faithful and trustworthy, to remind you that he is trustworthy.
Pray
Dear God, thank you for leading my life. Help me to trust you more with each passing day, and to focus on your guidance rather than my worries. Teach me to live in the present, secure in the knowledge that you have my future under control. In Jesus' name. Amen.