Shaping Worries into Prayers

Harper and I were having a visit on Facetime. This five-year-old bundle of love, my niece’s daughter, was telling me all about her Guinea pig, Skitters. Skitters was her new best friend. He went down the sliding board with her, nibbled on baby carrots at tea parties across from her, and nestled in the mini stroller in front of her during walks. Oh, how she loved Skitters.

“I had a Guinea pig when I was a little girl, too!” I shared. “His name was Oscar!”

“You did? What happened to Oscar?” she asked. “Did you give him away or did he die? Do Guinea pigs go to heaven?”

I was not expecting those questions and wished I had kept my Guinea pig history to myself. When we said our goodbyes, I realized that Harper, even at five years old, was worried about her little friend. She was anxious about Skitter’s future. Goldie the goldfish had a short life, and well, do Guinea pigs live longer?

It seemed such a small thing…what was going to happened to Skitters in the long run. And then I wondered if my anxious thoughts seem like small things to God.

I worry about my son and then I remember that God has a host of angels surrounding him (Psalm 91:11-12). Protecting Steven is a small thing to God.

I grow anxious about pandemics and then I remember that all my days were numbered before there was even one of them (Psalm 139:16).

It is so easy to fall into the trap of worrying about world events, particularly wars and rumors of war we are hearing about in the news right now. The media shows us horrific details of bombed-out buildings and burned-out homes. People fleeing and parents weeping.

And I get anxious. I grow worried.

Then God reminds me of Who He is and What He does through the Scripture I read time and time again. He runs things. He is not aloof. He is not absent in life’s happenings. As He told Moses at the burning bush, He sees, He hears, He is concerned (Exodus 3:7).

I need to remember that God has a plan for history—it is providential and not accidental. The word “providential” means “to see before,” to have a particular end or goal in mind. What happens in world history and with your and my history is not happenstance. He is in control of the sacred and secular. World history and my history.

God said: “Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish” (Isaiah 46:9-10 NLT).

I imagine God saying, Oh honey, don’t worry about what’s going on in the world at large or in your life right now. The happenings are not a surprise to Me. I’m still in control. I’m still on my throne. And remember, nothing is too difficult for Me. Your worries may loom large for you, but they are not too difficult for Me.

So what do we do when those anxious feelings creep in? We pray and give our burdens and worries to God (Psalm 55:2).

Paul wrote, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6 NLT).

A paraphrase of that verse says it this way: Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life (The Message).

Don’t you love that: “Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers.” I don’t know what you’re anxious about today, but I do know God is in control. And He is good.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the Omnipotent God Who takes care of every need and calms every anxious heart. I give You my worries and concerns, knowing that You are in control, and You always have a good plan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Leave a comment and complete this sentence. I am trusting that God will __________ in my life.

DIGGING DEEPER