Focusing on worry is unproductive.
In the same way, when we focus on our worries, we become less productive at work. Our kids wonder why we’re not playing with them. Our spouse doesn’t feel the love and connection we used to give. We become less generous because we are worried we won’t have enough. In essence, we can’t be all that God has called us to be when we’re focused on our worries.
Thus, Christmas feels like the arrival of worry, not the arrival of peace.
How do we exchange our worry for God’s peace?
We have to understand that worry is natural, but peace is supernatural. You can’t experience God’s peace, without God!
Paul would give us the antidote to worry in Philippians ch. 4.
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Every time you worry about if God will provide for you do these three things…
- Pray.
- Present your worry to God.
- Practice gratitude.
You may have to practice those three things 100 times a day, and that’s alright.
- Keep praying.
- Keep presenting your worry.
- Keep practicing gratitude.
These three things will help you adjust your focus from your worries to God’s faithfulness. When you do this, God promises to exchange your worries with his supernatural peace and that is transformational.
Let’s refuse to focus on how big our worries are. Let’s remember to focus on how big our God is!