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Woman of Design

By Kelly Graham

Growing up, I was a pretty easygoing girl who never worried much. In fact, I think my biggest worries fell along the lines of whether I might pass my math exam or if I would get to the roller rink with my friends that weekend.

As an adult, though, the list of troubles I face has gotten bigger and grander each year of my life, and I am sure it will continue to do so. And although I don’t deem myself a “worrier,” I must constantly battle what I become anxious about in life.

The fact is there is much to be troubled about in our world. Besides various national and international crises, there are always the many “What if?” scenarios that run through our hearts and minds: What if I get sick? What if I’m in an accident? What if I lose my job? The list could go on and on!

Life is full of things to worry about, but how we choose to handle those things is key. It is only when we place our worry and anxiety before the Lord that we will ever feel at true peace.

In C.S. Lewis’ Prince Caspian, a child named Lucy encounters Aslan, the Christ-figure of the Narnia stories, after not seeing him for a long while.

“Aslan, you’re bigger,” she says.

“That is because you’re older, little one,” answered he.

“Not because you are?”

“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”

The more mature in the faith we are, the bigger God will be for us.  As our image of God becomes clearer and we understand his immensity, we can learn to truly rest in him. We grow in our ability to depend completely on him and know that with a God as capable as the God we find in the pages of Scripture, the universe in which we find ourselves is truly a safe place for us. We are in his almighty hands!

In spite of this large and capable God, we often find ourselves beset by worry, anxiety, and fear.  Jesus spoke directly to his people about worry in Matthew 6:25-34. In this passage, Jesus gives us many reasons for trusting in God rather than worrying:  

•  The same God who gives us the gift of life will certainly supply the less important gifts of food and clothing. God never begins something he does not plan to see through to the end. If God can be trusted to take care of the big things, we should certainly be able to trust him in the little things 

•  The same God who cares for the birds will also care for his people. God takes care of the littlest creatures of the earth. How much less, then, should we worry?

•   Worry is pointless. It doesn’t change the reality of the situation one single bit. It has been said, “Worry is kind of like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere.”

•  Worry ignores God’s demonstrated faithfulness in our lives. The same God who so wonderfully clothes the flowers of the field is responsible to care for them. “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

• We are God’s children. Once we come to know God as the faithful Father he is, worry simply does not make sense.

• When we worry about tomorrow, we miss out on today. As Corrie Ten Boom put it, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.”
  
  

  This is not to say that believers in Christ will be exempt from the usual troubles of this world. “Worry-free” does not mean “trouble-free.” Still, in spite of our circumstances, those who depend on God will find out for themselves the truth the psalmist discovered long ago: “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:19, NIV).