Don't Worry, Be Happy

Why do we worry when God is all-powerful and wants the best for us?

Hey GEM Girls!! Has anyone ever told you "don't worry, be happy?"

I realized recently just how much I worry. A few days ago, I got out of bed at 10AM to the sound of my mom's friend coming through the front door. I groaned to my mom, saying that I had woken up at 5:30AM, did my devotion, and then went back to sleep. I conveyed my worries about how I wasn't getting up and staying up at the right time. I'm currently trying to change my very messy sleep schedule because of a camp I will be going to soon, which was why I was concerned about the times I was sleeping and getting up. But my mom's friend then replied, "Why are you worried? It's okay! You can always adjust there; don't worry, be happy!" As I thought about what she said, I realized that she was right. Why was I so worried about such a trivial thing?

Not only that, I was worried about school, my social life, my character, my future new cello professor, whether my hair was dyed too black, and a plethora of other things. This list may not be the same as other people, but I know that everyone has worried about something at least once in their life. But if we really think about it, what do we accomplish by worrying? To put it in Jesus' words, "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" (Matt. 6:27). In fact, I cannot name one time where worrying made me feel better about a situation or gave me joy; it only made me more and more nervous. It's like going into a dark tunnel: one worry leads to another and another, and after a while, you're just stuck in this deep tunnel with worries swirling around you.

But when we worry, we show that we don't fully trust God. If we're anxious about a certain situation, for example, about an interview for a job, then we don't completely believe that God has the whole interview process and job opportunity in His hands or that He has a plan for us. Not only that, think about this: the God we serve is the One who spoke trees into existence, the One who made Sarah have Isaac despite her impossible age, the One who used a fish to swallow Jonah and then spit him out again to reach not only the people of Nineveh but also Jonah himself, the One who transformed Doug Batchelor's life from a hopeless caveman to a devout and powerful vessel for Him, the One who answers our prayers no matter the size. This is our heavenly Father! Yet, we still worry about even the smallest things of life.

But don't get me wrong: you're not a failure if you worry. Unfortunately, we are natural worriers because of our sinful state. However, there is another, better path alternative to worrying: trusting God. I know this is easier said than done, but one way to overcome worry is to pray and claim God's promises in faith. Here are a few:

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6, 7

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26:3, 4

"I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies." Psalm 18:1-3

"Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22

Next time you're tempted to worry, pray and claim a promise in faith, confident that God will give you peace and strengthen your trust in Him.

Lots of Love,