Winning Over Worry

“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?”

Psalm 56:3-4


Christmas is a great reminder for us not to worry about things as God has everything under control. In reading the Christmas story this week I am reminded once again that some of the first words spoken by the angels of heaven in preparing mankind for the presence of God among us were, “fear not”. Obviously even the angels of heaven know we have a predisposition for fear and they address it. For Jospeh when he learned Mary was pregnant his greatest fear was most likely, “what would people think?” How many of us have missed out on opportunities in life because of our fear of what others might think or say? You recall in Matthew 1:20-21 what the angel said to Jospeh as he contemplated what to do, “But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” Don’t forget, wherever faith is to be exercised fear will be present.

In Lukes gospel when the angels appeared to the shepherds regarding the birth of Jesus their first response was one of fear. The shepherds faced the same fear that often grips your heart and mine, “the fear of the unknown.” More than even the fear of what other people think, the fear of the unknown has paralyzed the majority of us at one time or another from realizing our fullest potential. The angels of heaven were very much aware of what worry can do from reading Luke 2:8-11, “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

The Christmas story is a story of good news and one of the many gifts God gave to us when Jesus was born was the ability to win over worry. God knows that we fear what others think and we most definitely fear the unknown. Thats why Jesus Christ came into this world in human form so that we could behold Him. Jesus is the light of the world and He came to shine in the darkness and to make known what was previously unknown. The number one way to win over worry is to know God. When you and I come to know God, to know Him personally our worries fade away. The more we know God and know about Him the less and less we will worry. Thats why Jesus prayer for you and me in John 17 is that we might “know God”, for in knowing God we learn that we can trust Him and the more trust we place in God the less fear we will have in our lives. Whenever faith is exercised, fear and worry are defeated.

So remember, to win the battle over worry, devote your time getting to know Jesus in God’s Word. Remember why Jesus came to begin with, understand what He lived and died for and rest in the hope of your calling. Rejoice in His resurrection and what that means for you and me who have placed our trust in Him. Respond like King David, recite God’s promises every time worry seeks to grip your heart recalling that, “knowing you Jesus, knowing you, there is no greater thing, you’re my all, you’re the best, you’re my joy my righteousness and I love you Lord… I love you Lord.”

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6



I LOVE YOU!

Michael Osthimer

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