The Devil is in the worry

I worry about many things, people mostly.  A family member in the hospital in another state.  Writing a blog that was misunderstood.  The unease and rising hatred in our divided country.  Slick winter roads and potential accidents.  Struggling to use my time toward learning and growing as a writer and artist.  Wasting time playing solitaire and scrolling through Facebook.  All worry is the devil's playground.

I know this yet I worry and worry some more.  Think about your worries.  Are you overcome by them at times?

Jesus has this to say in the Sermon on the Mount.
"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?"  Matthew 6:27

A progression from worry to diminished faith to fear is the devil's playground.  Worry climbs the monkey bars to fix and control unfixable and uncontrollable circumstances/people.  Worry consumes us with all the 'what-ifs' in life and says, 'I can figure this out on my own because God is too busy, unconcerned, punishing, distant.'  Pick your own falsehood about God.

"But if God so clothes the grass of the field...will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!"  Matthew 6:30

Little faith doesn't know the true character of God. He is good, faithful, kind, perfect judge, overall, loving, providing, redeeming, healing...you pick one. After all, doesn't the Bible tell us so?

The devil's playground of worry provides deception that climbs up the slide to fear.  "Well, if God isn't working this thing out like I would, now! then I can't really trust Him.  If I can't trust Him, then I fear things will 'go south'...and this becomes a horrible merry-go-round of worry, broken faith and fear leading to worry, broken faith and fear.

"But (continually) seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (life and body vs 25) will be (provided) added to you."  Matthew 6:33.  Seeking out the character of God in the Bible and believing it's truth is provisional and progressive.  He is so good, He will add and add and add more of His goodness to your life.  More love, faith, freedom from fear and life, life abundant.  Everlasting!  Eternal!

Tell the devil to go away because you have overcoming faith in the Logos, Jesus.

"So do not worry (command, not a suggestion) about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:34. Ain't that the truth!?

God cares. Let Him. Believe Him.

Playing in God's Kingdom playground today,
Nancy B