Chapter 9 Overview

When Doubt Whispers "I Can't Stop Worrying"

"Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur."  ~Sarah Young, Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence

This chapter...WOW!  My poor friends and family (really my blessed friends and family) have had to listen to quotes from this chapter all week long!  So much in here.  And so much that God showed me about me.  For the first time in over a year, I've stopped arguing with my doctor about why I'm sick and started accepting he could see something I couldn't.

She begins by talking about a time in her life a few years ago when she was just so exhausted.  Her husband suggests her taking some time away to just spend some time with God, but she just can't concentrate.  Her mind is so distracted that she takes her dog's seizure medicine instead of her allergy medicine.

We become so overwhelmed today with all the things we have to do.  And even if we can live in the today, we're already worrying about tomorrow.  She illustrates through the story of Mary and Martha to show us truths.  First, Mary was very pushy, listing all the the things she wants Jesus to do.  We tend to do the same when we pray.  We live with a list of all we need to do and problems we need God to solve.  Second, she pointed out that when circumstances in life feel out of control, we start trying extra hard to control things in our life: our family members, clutter, etc.  Mary tried not only to control her surroundings, but even Jesus when she told him what to he needed to do.  Jesus told Mary that she was "worried and upset about many things."  We often don't realize it.  Our minds our constantly moving and we don't always notice the worry creeping in.  Worry changes nothing about that which we worry about.  In fact she uses the acronym Worry Only Robs Rest from You.  It robs us physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually leaving us exhausted, anxious, scattered and depleted.  Most of all it pulls down our guard and lets doubt creep in.  She quotes statistics from Max Lucado's book Come Thirsty and the end result is that only 8% of our concerns are real problems that we can influence.  8%.  I found it amazing that 92% of what I worry about is just useless worry.  We need to discern which of our "many things" are good things and which are God things.  We can fill our lives with many good things, but they may not be the things God has intended for us.  Instead, like Martha, we overextend ourselves, become consumed with "many things" and sacrifice the Real Thing - our relationship with Jesus.  Spending time with God should be a high priority and she gives many suggestions as to how:

Plan a D.A.T.E. - Determine A Time Every day to spend time with Jesus.  A time that fits into your life (not waking up early if it takes you 20 minutes to clear the groggy-ness or at night if you can't hold your eyes open), and remember that it doesn't have to be the same time everyday.  Maybe M-W-F you walk with Him or listen to an audio bible and then come home to journal what He's telling you.  Then T-Th you have lunch with Him.  The point is to be intentional about it.

Set Realistic Expectations - If you are just starting out, make it 10 minutes and build from there.  The more time you spend with God, the more time you'll want to spend with Him.

Create a Setting for Two - Make a prayer area where you can get away from distractions to meet with Jesus.  It could be as simple as a chair set aside in your bedroom where you keep your Bible, journal, and pen. 

Read God's Word - Everything you need to know about God is in His Word. 

Journal What God Shows You - Take time to write down what He's showing you, or scriptures, so that you can remember them later.  It's the best way to take captive your thoughts and listen to God's truth over Satan's lies.

Use Scripture for Conversation Starters - Insert your name or others' names into scripture to be sure that you are praying God's will

Reflect on God's Faithfulness - also write down thoughts and prayers so you can go back and reflect on what God has done.  Then when you find yourself struggling, you can cling to God's faithfulness by reading your journal and reflecting back on how He's come through for you again and again.

Renee also talks about how quickly things become overwhelming and how we don't always see the damage as it's occurring.  She talks about a year that was especially difficult with challenge after challenge; some good challenges, but challenges just the same.  She felt initially like she was handling it all so well until one day she realized how scattered and forgetful she was becoming.  After a little investigation, she determined she had gotten ADD.  Her doctor, asked her a few questions, then reminding her that people do not just get ADD in their forties.  She informed her that she had developed stress induced anxiety, which left undetected then became anxiety induced depression.  She argued that this wasn't depression because she had experienced that years ago.  "I went through depression twenty years ago.  I know what it felt like.  This is not the same.  I don't want to commit suicide, although I would be really happy if Jesus came back soon.  I don't stay in bed all day, although I am exhausted all the time."  Her doctor kindly told her (as mine has been trying to tell me), that this is different.  Renee discussed feeling like the writer of Psalm 73, "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold." (v.2)  Then she realized she had lost perspective by looking at how well others were doing despite their lives. 

She realized, as did the writer of the psalm, that the only way to restore her footing and find the strength she needed was in her relationship with God:

"Yet I am always with you;
     you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
     and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
     And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
     but God is the strength of my heart
     and my portion forever."  (vv.23-26)

Paul gives us a prescription for God's peace.  In Philippians 4:6-7NLT, he tell us, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

Stop worrying- press the pause button on my consuming concerns
Start praying- open my mouth and tell God what I need
Keep thanking God- remind my heart of God's goodness by thanking Him for what He's done.

It sounds so doable, yet is so hard because Satan is whispering doubt into our hearts.  We need to boss our hearts around and fill them with God's word so that He can guard our hearts.  The pit of discouragement is NOT part of His plan for us.  "When things you want to control start controlling you, ask God to help you let go and trust that He is in control."  Talk to Him instead of talking to yourself and remember to seek Him, not just serve Him. 
    

Praying God's Promises
     Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.  When concerns consume me, remind me that You are with me, holding me by my right hand and guiding me with Your counsel.  Though my flesh and my heart may fail, You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Help me turn my burdens over to You, knowing that You will take care of me. 

     Because You are my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  You promise that when I dwell in the shelter of the Most High, I can rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  You are my refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.  Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life; You stretch out Your hand against the anger of my foes, and with Your right hand You save me.  Thank You for making known to me the path of life and filling me with joy and peace in Your presence.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scriptures to Lean On

Psalm 16:11 "You make known to me the path of live; you will fill me with joy in your presence."

Psalm 23:1 NASB  "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."

Psalm 25:4-5 "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long"

Psalm 91:1-2 "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust'"

Psalm 138:7 "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.  You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me."

Psalm 138:8 NLT  "The Lord will work out his plans for my life - for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.  Don't abandon me, for you made me."