One thing I’ve learned is that the longer I worry about a situation, the less strength and energy I have. It’s like my body allocates all its resources to try and get me out of whatever mess or situation I find myself in. People will say, “Give it to God,” but I never understood how to until I read Philippians 4:6-7. It says, “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” (MSG). When I dwell on worry, it zaps my energy because I’m trying to fix the situation. When I let it cause me to pray, I hand it off to God and give Him the responsibility to fix it.
In 1 Samuel 1, we’re introduced to a lady named Hannah. She was married to Elkanah along with another woman named Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. All she wanted in life was to have a child. Each year they traveled to the Tabernacle to worship. Elkanah offered his sacrifices and gave meat to his two wives. Hannah worried so much about not having kids that she couldn’t eat until one day when she decided to let her worries become her prayers. Eli, the priest, told her to go in peace and trust that God would grant her request. Verse 18 says, “‘Oh, thank you, sir!’ she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad” (NLT). She’s a great example of what Philippians 4:6 looks like in action. In due time, God granted her prayers and gave her a son named Samuel.
In Psalm 28, David was going through a tough season. The first part of the chapter is him telling God about his problem. Then in verse 7 he says, “The Lord is my strength and my [impenetrable] shield; My heart trusts [with unwavering confidence] in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I shall thank Him and praise Him” (AMP). Just like Hannah, he experienced a shift in his confidence when he gave it to God. Their circumstances weren’t changed in that moment. What did change was who they trusted to handle it. Worry is a symptom that comes from us trying to solve a problem and it’s beyond our abilities. Peace is the symptom of trusting God to do what we are incapable of. Let Him displace worry and thank Him in advance for what He’s going to do. Your circumstances won’t change immediately, but there will be a shift in your attitude when you shift your trust to God.
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 