Refuse to Worry
Several hundreds of dollars, a hotel night or two and countless moments of patience had lead up to this moment. As the line of teenage girls grew, the sounds of joy and anticipated energy grew too.
I have a daughter who’s currently is in college. Now, my momma heart is super happy to see her go and thrive but the other side of my momma heart had to come face to face with some real truths when she moved out. When she first moved I was excited for her.
Our daily conversations were about the new adventures she was having. Soon though, I found that I was troubled. I’d call her and just say, “You good?” A friend kindly asked me one day, “Why do you say “Are you good?” when you speak to your daughter? It is as if you are asking her to not be good.
She can be having a great day but that question you ask makes her subconsciously doubt that she is as if she is not supposed to be.”
At first, I just allowed this question to offend me.
“That question is honest, it’s how I feel,” I said (in my heart…not to my friend because I was still pondering this and wasn’t quite ready for rebuttal).
But, as I processed the question, I began to look deeper into myself to see the “why”.
The truth is, I would ask that question because I wasn’t “good”. I had worry running in the background of my thoughts. She was perfectly fine.
It was me that was having a hard time.
As I continued to be honest with my motives, I realized that the basis of all of my actions towards her was totally fear-based.
(Even when I sent her money or Amazon stuff, it was out of fear, not faith) I held fear of losing her to her new college world.
I held fear that she would forget all the values I taught her, so I had to stay close just to remind her who she was.
I also entertained the fear that she would be harmed.
Now, looking at that list is not something I do in proud momma mode. I’m pretty embarrassed that I ever allowed any of this in but the truth of the matter was, my intent was fear-based, not love-based.
To correct my actions, the first thing I did in my heart was reviewing this:
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love cast out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18
“Perfect” is the equivalent to mature. Perfect love is love that is not timid and withholding but a love that is bold, brave, and seasoned. That kind of love has the courage to say, “Hey, wait a minute. Why am I doing this this way? What am I thinking.” Then it adjusts.
Seriously this is how simple it is to transform our thoughts. We have the courage to think about what we are thinking about and remember that love casts out fear so we love ourselves in that mature way.
Have you ever read Mathew 6? I spent some time there recently and I want to share it with you.
“This is why I tell you to never be worried about your life, for all that you need will be provided, such as food, water, clothing—everything your body needs. Isn’t there more to your life than a meal? Isn’t your body more than clothing. Consider the birds—do you think they worry about their existence? They don’t plant or reap or store up food, yet your Heavenly Father provides them each with food. Aren’t you much more valuable to your Father than they? So, which one of you by worrying could add anything to your life?
And why would you worry about your clothing? Look at all the beautiful flowers of the field. They don’t work or toil,and yet not even Solomon in all his splendor was robed in beauty like one of these!So if God has clothed the meadow with hay, which is here for such a short time and then dried up and burned, won’t he provide for you the clothes you need—you of little faith?
So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require?
So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.”
Mathew 6:25-34
WOW! That is what this section of scripture does to my heart, it wow’s me. Verse 25 says, “That is why I tell you…” What is why? Jesus was referring to what he said just before this. He was teaching about the value of not being attached to stuff. He taught that we are to “stockpile” heavenly treasures and not earthy kinds.
When we realize what is truly valuable in life then we find balance.
Worry is of no value! It does however bring in torment because worry leads to fear and fear produces torment. So, let’s take on the beginning stage of fear which is worry!
Verse 26 says, “Consider the birds of the field.” Okay, let’s do just that.
In my backyard, I have a bird feeder because I really enjoy watching all the birds flutter around. Their colors, variety, and beautiful song gives me great joy. Never once though have they knocked on my window when the feeder was empty and said, “Hey lady, you’re gonna need to get some food in here for us.”
If my feeder is empty, no problem, they just go else wear because they have zero worries that they will be fed. They do not have trees filled with sunflower seeds just in case. They don’t panic when my feeder is empty, they just freely live worry-free, and all they need gets provided.
When I began to “consider” the birds, I began to consider my own thinking. Worry can really squeeze life. When I let my brain (I say “let” because that is exactly how thinking happens when I get to choose what I think) start down a path of worry (I use the word “down” because worry totally takes us downward on any emotional scale) worry grows and faith shrinks.
Verse 27 makes me smile. Why? Because I picture a little kid with eyes squinted tightly and fist clenched gritting their teeth trying to make themselves grow. That just doesn’t work. The greek defines verse 27 as “can add on hour to your life.”
Utilizing worry to bring about faith results is pointless!
Worry does not produce life and peace and joy in our lives. It does not allow our lives to flow with abundance like a river. Worry is like a dam, it blocks the flow of abundance in our life just like that little kid all tighten up. It blocks good blood flow to the brain, ha! We have to unclinch our hands, ungirt our teeth, and open our eyes to confidence and the peace-filled promise “Aren’t you much more valuable to your Father than they?”
Currently, I live in the plains of Texas. One of my favorite things to do is to go sit out in the prairie and meadows in the Spring and Summer. They are so beautiful. Green grass blowing in the breeze makes a sound like nothing else. But, when October rolls around this beautiful meadow gets harvested to make hay for the animals. It basks in beauty one minute and then is cut down the next to begin the cycle all over. Jesus is saying in verse 30 that if God clothed the field won’t He provide for you? We live in seasons too and each season, He provides whatever is needed, whenever it is needed.
You are so loved.
No seriously, you are SO loved by your Heavenly Father! There is no need or space for worry in His love. His love is the most perfect of all and it casts out all the worry and fear.
Verse 34 is the one I want to speak on a mega phone and then cheered out over us on a daily bases…
“REFUSE TO WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW! REFUSE TO WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW! REFUSE TO WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW!”
When I took a moment to think about what I was thinking about, I realized I worried about my daughter’s tomorrow. wasn’t letting the blessing of God flow because I dammed it up with worry. But, the beautiful thing is this, I get to choose what I think. I am very good at “shushing” myself. You know those thoughts like, “Well, what about..” shoosh! “Well, there’s this..” shoosh! I have the right to shoosh my thoughts and direct them back to thoughts of peace, joy, success, hope, love. One thing I remind myself of often is Ephesians 3:20. I simplified it for my brain to simply say “What if it turns out better than I can expect.” and then I expect that to be true!
So let’s conclude this.
Live for today-refuse to worry because you are His and He is yours-
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The New Birth is the most wonderful Miracle to begin with! Romans 10:9-10 shows us how to receive the new birth.
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
This begins the first Miracle for you. NOW, you have unlimited resources available to you.
You now have the holy spirit inside of you, coursing through your veins and behind every fiber of your being.
You have access to all nine of the manifestations of holy spirit. 1 Corinthians 12
You are seated in the heavenlies. Ephesians 2:6
You have Christ in You, the hope of glory! Colossians 1:27
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Let’s walk this journey together! God has called you for Such A Time As This!
1. We believe in one God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – Creator of all things. (Ephesians 4:4-6)
2.We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of Mary, crucified, died, was buried, resurrected, ascended into heaven, and is now seated at the right hand of the true God and Father. (John 3:16)
3. We believe the Bible in its entirety to be the absolute inspired Word of God and the infallible rule of faith and conduct. It’s a spiritual book, written by The Spirit for the spirit. (II Timothy 2:15)
4. We believe in the future return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ( I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
5. We believe in the personal salvation of Believers by believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth that Jesus is Lord. (“Romans 10:9 and 10.”)
6. We believe in sanctification, redemption, justification, and ministry of reconciliation and righteousness as sonship rights given at the time of the new birth through the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit.
7. We believe in divine healing, through faith in the Name of Jesus Christ, via the shed blood and broken body, and that healing is included in the redemption and available at any time during life.
8.We believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as outlined in Romans 10:9-10. We believe that every born-again person has the ability to operate all nine of the manifestations of the holy spirit. Also, we believe in the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit. (Ephesians 4:7)
9. We believe in the Christian commission (Matthew 28:19) by speaking boldly, tenderly, and lovingly to all of humanity.
10. We believe in the forgiveness of sins as outlined in scripture by confessing our sins to our Heavenly Father, God and that forgiveness is given at that moment. (1 John 1:9)
11. We believe the thief, the devil, comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy and credit any of these actions as belonging to him. In complete contrast, we believe that Jesus came so that we might have life {Zoe – life in all of its fullness} and have it more abundantly. He gets credit for this abundance in life. (John 10:10)
12. We believe that God desires greatly to work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
N.O.W – No Ordinary Woman
No Ordinary Woman.
N.O.W.—Woman, God created you to be more than ordinary.
He created you to be Extra-Ordinary.
When you received His gift of Holy Spirit you were no longer just a body and a soul, you became a three-part being of Body-Soul-Spirit; complete, a perfect work through the miracle of the New Birth!
This is our movement, daughter of God, to stand out from the crowd: to boldly proclaim I am His and He is mine. To see signs follow you, to see miracles performed through you, to be His Wonder! To rely only upon your God. To expect only from Him. To be independently dependent on Him alone. He is enough for you.
We are His masterpieces and we radiate with His divine love everywhere we go. You were created to live in this day-time-hour. Created for such a time as this and together we will move mountains!
In Him We Live exists so that women who love God can know and believe that they were born for such a time as NOW.
Our Code
1. Jesus is the center and the Head of The Body. It’s All About Following His Directive (Colossians 1:18)
2. We believe big and take action. It’s all about activated faith All About Activated Faith (James 2:14-26)
3. We honor one another to glorify God. It’s allAll About the Romans 12 Experience
4. We are Lovers, not Haters. It’s All About loving on others (Mark 12:31)
5. We think in Color. It’s All About how God inspires us by working in us to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13)
6. We don’t back down. It’s All About submitting to God and watching the Devil flee in terror (James 4:7)
7. We stand approved before God. It’s All About knowing scripture and how to apply (2 Timothy 2:15)
8. We choose our thoughts. It’s All About knowing which thought to lead captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)
9. We will express gratitude. It’s All About keeping a thankful heart (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
10. We move from a place of power. It’s All About using the right tools afforded us through Jesus Christ, His Father, The Holy Spirit, and The Bible. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
11. We speak to our mountains (ALL OF THEM). It’s All About the power of our words (Mark 11:23)