Going through a season of worry? Read on to find my favorite Bible verses to get me through times of worry.
A Season of Worry
I first wrote this post when I was 11 weeks pregnant with Micah, my fifth born child. I decided to bring it to the front of my blog today because of the current state of the world and uncertainty looming over everyone.
I am worried about people I love getting sick, worried about the death toll in America, and unsure of the economic/financial repercussions of shutting down the world.
If I would have to sum up the last few days in a word, it would be worry.
I will leave the rest of the post the same (from 2017 when I was announcing Micah), but I hope you take some comfort in the scriptures.
Announcing Baby Number 5
I never really planned to make a big official announcement, but I wanted to let you all know I am 11 weeks pregnant with baby number five.
Although I am most definitely super happy to be called to mother another child, there were a few things about this stage of life that I seemed to have forgotten.
I love being pregnant.
It is so amazing to feel those first tiny flutters, and to find the fast and consistent heart tones with the fetoscope. I look forward to those first few contractions that mean baby is finally coming.
It really is such a special time in life to be thankful for.
BUT what I forgot about is the worry!
Oh my goodness, the worry!
It came flooding back the moment I got that first positive pregnancy test.
“I think I drank way too much coffee yesterday.”
”Oh no! Last night I had a glass of wine!”
“Should I really eat that deli meat?”
Worry Scares
I was thinking back to some other crazy worries I have had over the years. Most were completely irrational, but all equally devastating at the time.
First, there was the rabies scare. When my husband and I were newlyweds, he picked up a dead bat. After a few visits to Dr. Google, I was pretty sure “til death do us part” was going to carry us through all of four months. He refused to go to the hospital and get tested. I’ll just skip straight to the ending and tell you he didn’t actually have rabies.
Another time, I made my entire family move into my in-laws’ basement for a week because I realized the linoleum floor my husband had torn out contained asbestos. I felt so stupid for not knowing that was something we should check. I lost a ton of sleep and drove myself crazy researching air scrubbers and mesothelioma remedies. In all honesty, I can still worry about this one if I think long enough about it, so let’s move on.
When my third son was five months old, my husband and two older girls went on a float trip in southern Missouri, while I stayed home with the baby. They had enjoyed a day on the river, and were supposed to be driving home right after that. Well, my husband, who – bless his heart – doesn’t know the complexities and imaginations of the female mind, allowed his phone to go dead. When a four hour drive turned into five and then six, I started to get pretty concerned.
Instead of thinking about all the stops he would have to make with two and four year old girls, for snacks and bathroom breaks, I thought of the windy, treacherous, mostly abandoned, roads. The only logical explanation, in my mind, for them not being home was that they slid off one of the huge cliffs, and no one saw the wreckage. I was literally on the porch wailing (not an exaggeration) when they pulled in the driveway.
Over the course of the last nine years of motherhood, I have over-analyzed my kids’ swollen lymph nodes, left handedness, poop patterns, unstable mood, and every cough and sniffle.
Why does my six year old still throw fits? Certainly this isn’t normal!
Do Not Worry or Be Anxious
The Bible tells us not to worry, and logically I can see why.
These famous quotes kind of put it in perspective:
“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.”
– Leo F. Buscaglia
“When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.”
– Winston Churchill
Worry truly does rob us of joy, while never returning any positive results. A key to a short, unhealthy, unhappy life is certainly lots and lots of worry.
Worry Doesn’t Help Anything
One thing I have noticed about worry is it never changes the final outcome.
The bad thing is either going to happen or it isn’t, and worrying won’t change that fact.
I think my propensity to worry stems from a desire to be in control, and then realizing it isn’t possible.
I think I know what I need to be happy, and any alternative possibility wouldn’t allow me to have joy.
Worry does not recognize that God is in control.
God exists and cares about our lives.
He allows things to happen to us that we would not prefer, but He is ultimately in control and works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Since I do not see things from an eternal perspective, things that look really really bad here on Earth can ultimately be used for my benefit.
I was laying in bed the other night, and I was so full of fear. I realized this could be the purpose for the trial I’m going through right now. I was so desperate that the only thing I could do was start praying. For so long, my life has gone so perfectly that I didn’t really find much time to pray. I felt like I didn’t really need the comfort of God’s promises. I, of course, was always still a Christian, but I haven’t always found the time to pray.
Times of worry and stress are awful, and on a human level I hate them, but I can see how God can use those to draw me in.
Obviously I will never fully understand why things happen the way they do here on Earth, and I will probably never completely accept them as good, either.
I have to be honest when I say oftentimes my faith is even smaller than a mustard seed.
But I do know the only place to turn in times of distress is to the One who does understand it all.
My Favorite Scriptures
When I am laying in bed sick with worry, here are my favorite scriptures that always get me through:
I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
For God has not given us a sprit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Be anxious for nothing, 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
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
I hope this post was encouraging to you, and that you will be able to use these scriptures next time your imagination comes up with something dreadful that may happen to you or your family.
Thank you for stopping by, friends!
Margaret says
My kids are college/ high school age now when I came across two books that put my fears in perspective. “Unseen” and “Adore” by
Sara Hagerty – I truly wish I read them 20 years ago.!
Love to all of you!
Jane says
It is no easier for atheists, trust me.
Nearly everyone who’s ever lived has had little-to-no control over their fate (weather, illness, starvation, wars….you get it). Those of us enjoying the last 100 years in first world nations have enjoyed some semblance of control, which has ironically caused us more anxiety and worry because we erroneously believe we have far more control than we do.
So we do all of the right things, which is a good idea. My good friend had a diet worthy of praise, with no red meat but tons of fresh whole foods. A processed food hadn’t entered her body for over 30 years. She exercised daily, including meditation. Her grandparents lived into their 90’s, as did both her parents (still living) when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Not a single member of her family has had cancer. Not one. She was incredulous that she – of all people – would have cancer. Four month after successful surgery resection of the cancer she started to almost imperceptibly slur her words. Summer of 2020 she died of ALS, bulbar onset.
False sense of control.
We do our level best in life using the tools we have, like any species. Ultimately, our journeys are dictated by a trillion events and genetics that put us in the path of outcomes – good and bad, usually benign – that we live out.
It’s okay anyway. 🙂
Alecia says
Thank you so much for this post. It’s exactly what I needed to hear right now! I feel like you have put my mind into words with all of the worry that I have and the things that I worry about. Thank you again! This has helped me so much to know that I’m not alone in my worries.
Julie Morrow says
Feb 12/22 – Thank you so much for sharing this gift, Lisa. I could never briefly explain all that I’ve been going through the last 2 years and especially the last few months. That said, I know that my struggles are common to many. BUT, I will always seek the Lord, as I have for many years now and, right now, while fear has been somewhat crippling me and indecision of how to handle life right now has been driving me a bit crazy, I think I reached a low and LAST NIGHT God really spoke some things into my heart, and they strongly resonated as I read through this post. As we all are, I too am on a journey called Life. It can be very scary, but God has never failed me yet, as I know He never will you either, or any that are at least trying to trust in Him. The Holy Spirit uses people to help people and, today, He has spoken through your words, to me. To you and your family, the Lord bless you and keep you, make His face to shine upon you, be gracious to you and give you peace.
Carolyn Newton says
I too, recall verses of comfort on sleepless nights. Thank you for sharing.
Loreal Gibb says
Thanks for sharing your life with us. Your help and uplift more than you know! You’re def a kindred spirit! Thanks for everything and God bless!
Angela Springer says
Love this! I sure need this reminder.
Susan says
I was just talking to 2 of my sisters about worry today. Thank you for these reminders and the verses you shared.
Audree kuhn says
I read several spiritual reading with Bible verses as part of the new and Old Testament .it is amazing how so many days the words are just what I needed that day.
Deana says
I love your house. My dream house is a one story little farmhouse decorated with family heirlooms and thrifted finds. Thank you so much for sharing your home, family and faith. I look forward to watching your blogs.