Love More, Worry Less
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
Worry is defined as: “giving way to anxiety or unease; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.” Worry requires that our minds be self-focused, which can allow worry to unrealistically magnify itself in our thoughts. Worry is not beneficial to us, and it can actually hinder our ability to think clearly. Excessive worry places stress on the body and can adversely affect our health.
How does the Lord help us to overcome the habit of worrying? Love is the only thing that can free us from worry and fear, because love takes our thoughts from focusing on self, and changes our thoughts to God and others. He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27).’” It’s amazing how worry seems to disappear when we focus on God and others. Science tells us that people are more content, fulfilled, and healthier, when they volunteer at a function that helps others.
If we live our lives according to the way God designed us, our lives will be filled with love, joy, and peace from God. Satan tries to deceive us with a life that appeals to our worldly desires; for everything in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–comes not from the Father but from the world (1 John 2:16).
When we realize how much the Lord loves us, then we begin to trust him more, and we give the Lord our worries. We pray giving the Lord our concern, and we leave it in his divine hands as we walk in obedience to his will. This is critically important, showing our faith in the Lord to handle our worries as we continue to serve him as he leads us by the Holy Spirit. We have stepped off the throne, and now God sees that we truly trust him. He will answer our prayer in his time and according to his divine understanding. This faith reveals our love to the Lord.
If we want to be free from worry, we show God’s love by serving him and by reflecting it to others. We just can’t tell the Lord we love him, because true love leads us to action, to reflect it to others. Loving more leads to less worry.
Today if you find yourself worrying, change your thoughts to reflect God’s love to someone. Pray and ask the Lord to help you focus on others, to be an encouragement to others.
Let’s Pray: Lord keep me from being self-focused on worry, but instead focused on being a light for Christ. Keep me from worry, fear, anger, and all toxic thoughts that come from Satan. In Jesus name, Amen.