It’s 3 a.m. You can’t get back to sleep. That “issue” keeps invading your mind.
- You’ve prayed about it
- Given it to the Lord
You have even…
- Chosen to trust Him in it.
Yet your mind still replays that negative situation. The myriad of what if’s continues to bombard your mind. Then you start feeling guilty because God said we are not to worry.
What’s a child of the King to do?
Instead of worrying—think about it WITH God
Here are three things to keep in mind…
1. Understand that God understands.
He is well aware of each of your weaknesses and frailties. He knows what makes you tick—He made you.
For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. (Ps 103:14)
2. God wants you to bring those pressing issues to Him.
God cares and will not cast you out, no matter how many times you take an issue to Him. I am convinced that it pleases Him when we take our worries and concerns to Him. Every time you begin to feel anxious, just take it to the Lord. Forcefully and emphatically give it to the Lord each time. Don’t stop. Keep doing it as often and as long as needed ! (See my egg story for an example.)
3. The inability to stop thinking about something is not necessarily a sin.
Your constant thinking about something may be due to a lack of trust in God, but maybe not. If it is, then tell the Father you are sorry for not trusting Him. Ask Him to help you not to worry (= repentance). Then accept His forgiveness, and refuse to allow guilt to add to your distress.
However, the constant resurfacing of an issue could be due other reasons:
- It’s part of the human condition. If the situation is unresolved and important, of course it’s going to keep coming up. Pressing matters do that. We want and need answers/direction. Don’t beat yourself up for that! Self-flagellation never accomplishes anything.
- It could be Satan tempting you. Resist him and he will flee. (Jas 4:7)
- God Himself could be bringing up the matter so that you will face and deal with the problem. Just be sure to include Him as you process it.
- Perhaps it’s God’s way to help you get to the root cause of a besetting sin.
- Maybe He’s burdening your heart to pray for the other person(s) involved in the situation.
- Possibly He’s continuing to bring it up because you need to do something.
- God may simply be drawing you closer to Him, reminding you of your desperate need of His divine assistance.
Taking our problems to God wasn’t meant to be a one time event. “Here God. I give it to You. Now wave your magic wand and make it go away!” God doesn’t expect you to come to terms with difficulties immediately. Recall that even Jesus agonized in the garden before His crucifixion.
I wish I had understood these things when I was a younger Christian. I would have saved myself from countless hours of pain and discouragement. Now I know better. And so do you!
Go to your Father with those nagging problems. Confess as needed, plead for His peace, love, comfort, and guidance—whatever you need. He will give it to you if you ask for it sincerely and with a desire to submit to His will (22 Pet1:3-4, 1 Jn 5:14-15).
Thank Him for His mercy and patience as you work together with Him in this “impossible” situation. He will not be angry or impatient with you as you go to Him as a needy, helpless child again and again and again. As long as it takes.
So my friend, the next time you are besieged with a relentless problem, instead of worrying— think about it WITH God!
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Mat 11:18)
Helpful Resources
My Egg Story: A Story Of God’s Faithfulness
Struggling as a Christian is NORMAL—We Are in a BATTLE!
New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.