How to Stop Worrying and Start Trusting God: 8 Ways
Wolf Creek swells with freeze-up. Spilling its saffron onto the bleach-white bank like an unwanted stain on a clean tablecloth, I wonder how far the water will rise before the ice has done its work. I decide not to worry about the way this valley will soon change. Meanwhile, the scene leads me to think about how to stop worrying and start trusting God in the other realms of my life.
I want to trust him with our kids as they navigate the challenges of life.
I want to trust him with our future as we step slowly into change.
As I walk along the riverbank, I talk to God. In the process, I remind myself of what it looks like to exchange worry for trust.
How to Stop Worrying and Start Trusting God
Perhaps you need these reminders today as well. Let’s look at eight practical ways to stop worrying and develop deeper trust in God.
8 Truths About Trusting God and Not Worrying
1. We exchange worry for trust by standing on the promise that God cares for all of our needs.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:25
This verse reminds us that God cares for us. He wants to meet our needs. Instead of worrying about his provision, he invites us to lift our eyes to him and wait for him to provide for us.
Are you worried about God’s provision today?
Stand on the promise that God sees you. He will provide everything you need for each day.
God sees you. He goes before you and behind you. He will care for you. #Godslove #faith #hope Share on X2. We remind ourselves that worrying never adds to our lives.
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:27
Worry is the enemy’s weapon. Satan wants our worries to consume and paralyze us. Yet when we learn to use worries as prompts that remind us to look to God, we defeat the enemy with his own weapon.
Every time you feel worried, pause and imagine Jesus sitting on his heavenly throne. He is with you. Draw near to him and thank him for his goodness. In doing so, you will defeat Satan with the weapon he intended to use to destroy you.
Remind yourself that worrying will not help you in any way. Instead, it will destroy and defeat you. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
3. We overcome worry by setting mental boundaries and staying in the present moment.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
Jesus reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on today. We can plan for the future, but worrying about it takes away our peace.
Have you been worried about something that has not yet happened?
Remind yourself that much of what we worry about never takes place. Furthermore, even if your worst-case scenario becomes reality, God will carry you through it.
4. We relinquish our worries into God’s hands.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
One of the most powerful ways to overcome worry is to relinquish your worry into God’s hands. Here’s how it works: Imagine your worst-case worry takes place. Then, ask God to show you the ways he would provide for you and sustain you, even in this scenario. Work through every aspect of the situation with him, asking him to reveal himself to you.
Once you have explored this in-depth, ask him to lift the burden from you as you trust that even if your worry becomes a reality, God will care for you. When you can rest in God’s care, you will exchange worry for trust.
This relinquishment process takes practice. You will most likely need to relinquish your fears many times. Meanwhile, each time you practice, you strengthen the neuropathways of trust and tear down the old pathways of worry.
5. We refuse to be intimidated because we are children of the Most High God.
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
Are you worried about an endeavor that feels intimidating?
Remind yourself that the spirit of fear is not from God. Instead, God gives us the spirit of love, power, and self-discipline. Don’t listen to the voice of fear. If you are a follower of Jesus, all authority on heaven and earth is in you because you are in Christ. Declare this power and stand in it in Jesus’ name.
6. We refuse to be manipulated by the threats of other people.
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 1 Peter 3:14
Are you worried about a situation involving other people?
God will give you strength to endure. If you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you. Ask him to help you trust him instead of worrying about the threats of others.
7. We trust that God is working to make us more mature as he deepens our faith.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
God is working even when we cannot see his hand at work.
He is inviting you to new levels of faith. Will you trust that he is working in unseen places? If so, your faith will grow. God will also help you rise above your greatest worries.
8. We repeatedly fix our eyes on Jesus.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Instead of gazing at your worries, fix your eyes on Jesus. Tell him about your worries and ask him to help you surrender these cares into his hands. He promises to lift your burdens for you.
You might need to surrender these burdens dozens or even hundreds of times. That’s okay. Every time you feel worries arise within you, surrender them to Jesus again.
After meditating on these truths, I return home from my walk feeling lighter. My circumstances have not changed. But my heart has been strengthened.
A Free Devotional to Help You Learn How to Stop Worrying and Start Trusting God
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