Time Out! Devotions

Let’s admit it; we all are tempted to worry at times. It is very easy to become anxious about our children, our finances, our work, our relationships.

A few years ago, I heard about a couple who dealt with worry in a unique way. Whenever they faced a situation that tempted them to worry, they would earnestly pray about it and give it to God. And once they had put it in God’s hands, they would write that worry down on a piece of paper, fold it, and put it in a big brown paper bag that had the word “God” written on. Next they would tape that bag high on the back of their kitchen door… out of reach and out of sight.

“It’s now God’s, not ours!” they would declare.

The couple would agree together that if they ever started to worry about that situation again, they would have to get the stool out, stand on it, and fish that worry note back out of the bag… because God no longer had that worry, they did!

You know, if we’re honest, a lot of us would spend quite a bit of time up on the stool fishing our worries out of that bag. Potentially, we all have a lot of things to worry about, don’t we?

Add to that, the devil wants you to worry! First Peter 5:8 speaks of Satan as an adversary and a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The context for those statements is worry! Worry is one of his many strategies to defeat you.

The truth is that you and I are in a battle. And our foe is not made of flesh and blood. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-12,

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

I want you to take special note of verse 11: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” What are “wiles”? Well, other translations refer to “the devil’s strategy” or “the schemes of the devil.” One translation even says “the evil tricks of Satan.”

So how can we resist the devil’s attacks? What should we do when we’re next tempted to worry? First Peter 5:7 gives us the answer: “…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” That’s what you can do… cast your care on God, who cares for you. Give your worry to Him!

Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.” Philippians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing….” In other words, don’t worry about anything. That same Scripture continues, “…but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

The fact is that God is big enough to take care of the worries we commit to Him. Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it just empties today of its strengths. Worry is a waste of our time! We should be doing more productive things with our time than worrying.

So the next time you’re tempted to worry, turn it around. When you understand the methods the devil uses to steal, to kill, and to destroy, you can shut down the devil’s attack. You can defeat him and live victorious over worry!

Let’s close that door of worry on the devil. Put your worries in the open and loving hands of God, who cares for you… and who is more than able to deal with the issues in your life.

Crosswalk.com is thrilled to announce the addition of Bayless Conley’s daily devotional, Answers for Each Day, to our devotional lineup. Click here to check it out, or to sign up for email delivery!

(from – http://www.christianity.com/11576715/)