So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.
Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:34
Worrying refers to negative thoughts about something that has not yet happened. We often use our imaginations to sift through all the possible outcomes. And we usually attempt to come up with solutions to things that have yet to happen—and may never happen.
I feel to some extent worry can be healthy. Worry can draw attention to areas in our lives that may need some attention. For example, if you constantly worry about money, then you should take a look at your finances: Are you handling your finances in a godly way? Are you worried about your future? Have you stopped to consider and talk with God about what He would have you do?
Worrying often comes from us depending on ourselves instead of the Lord. If we are depending on the Lord in every area of our life, then there is no need for us to worry! Planning, on the other hand IS something we can do. Here’s an example: if you know that you make “X” amount of money each week and you have “X” amount of bills to pay each week, then making a budget for the upcoming weeks is not worrying; it’s called planning.
Planning is essential to our well-being. God said in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you…” God thought it was a good idea to have a plan for us; so we, too, should have plans in our lives.
Notice I didn’t say “plan our lives”…I said, “plans IN our lives.”
Only God can plan our lives. The Bible says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).
Planning IN our lives can be as simple as setting an alarm to go off in the morning. Setting time aside to read your Bible or do the dishes. Planning is opening a savings account (and using it). In the past week, the weather has been rather cold. I know my car does not like the cold. My dad has told me time and time again to make sure that I start my car everyday when it is really cold outside. This isn’t worrying…it is planning.
You might even say that planning goes hand-in-hand with common sense. Something else I have noticed is that worrying can be a result of LACK of planning. Oh, you know…you start to worry if you will finish your 9 page paper on time because you waited until the night before to start it. With a little planning, the worry could have been avoided. Procrastination is worry’s best friend. (And I know this from experience.) Don’t be afraid to make plans. Ask the Lord where He would lead you. Just…don’t worry!
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Lord, help us to plan in our lives for the days to come and to be able to balance this planning so that it does not turn into worrying. Let us hold our lives loosely knowing that even the best of plans are subject to change when You grab hold of them. Let us not be so stubborn as to refuse to waver from the plans we have and to willingly follow where You would lead us. Amen.
