Don't Sweat the BIG Stuff

I have already discussed how we should not let little annoyances get under our skin. These things are really not that big of a deal. But what about the big stuff? Legitimate concerns that come up in life, such as losing a job, health concerns, or financial troubles? Is it then ok to get angry, worried, and frustrated? Although everything in my anal, perfectionist human self wants to say, YES! Of course you have every right to be worried and concerned! You have the right to want to plan for the future and know that everything will be ok and work out the way you want!

But the truth is, you still should not get angry and worried. God is sovereign, and in complete control. And to question the trials in your life is to say that you do not trust God and what he has made clear to us in his word.

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." 1 Peter 4:12

First of all, Peter tells us not to be surprised when trials come. In this life, as I'm sure we can all attest, trials and tribulations are inevitable. But we have to recognize that these trials are not coincidence or accident or out of God's control. Peter says we are not to think of these trials "as though something strange were happening to you." "Happening" suggests that something has occurred simply by chance. When we go through trials, we cannot face them as though they are an accident, or that God is unaware. He did not turn His back and suddenly something bad happened to you. He knows, and is still in control. So we have to stay focused and trust in Him. While this is not always easy, God makes it clear in the book of Matthew that we are not to waste our time worrying:

"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

²⁶Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

²⁷And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

²⁸And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,

²⁹yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

³⁰But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

³¹Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'

³²For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

³³But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

³⁴So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25-34

I feel like this passage speaks for itself, but can definitely be convicting! Especially for someone like me, who tends to worry about pretty much anything that comes up in life. But gradually God is teaching me to give all my frustrations and worries to Him, because it is simply not worth wasting my time and energy on such negative things. It does not do me a bit of good to worry about things that are in God's hands anyway! I will take His plan any day over mine, so I'll let Him take care of the worrying as well! :)