January 18, 2010

WEIGHED DOWN WITH WORRY? SHIFT YOUR FOCUS

Key Verse

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)

Read More READ TODAY'S PASSAGE
Read More READ THE CHAPTER

Central Truth

Focusing on God's character, faithfulness, and promises helps to provide peace in times of worry. Believing God has our best interest at heart and has a plan for us is an important foundation for not allowing worry to rob us of God's joy for us.

Reflections

When we found out we were expecting, I thought, “This is going to be exciting!” It turns out, however, that worry is a real joy killer. Irregular results, and tests that wouldn’t rule out concerns for weeks, upset me initially as I dealt with the emotional side of the experience. I would be expecting a routine check up, but instead sometimes received news that maybe all was not well. There was a constant reminder of verse 27 (NLT), “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Of course not. It was a discipline I had to apply, reminding myself that God was in control and was trustworthy, and the outcome was out of my hands.

Blake Holmes delivered a message at Watermark years ago about fear undermining our confidence in God’s faithfulness, and how helpful it is when we “shift our focus” from our circumstances to remembering God’s faithfulness and His character. I have used this application countless times in my life.

God’s character is displayed in 1 John 3:1a (NIV): “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” I started feeling so attached to our little guy before he was even born. You have that feeling like there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do for your child. You just want the best for him, and that is how God feels about us. We are his precious children!

Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV) says, "[W]hatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” A key part of these verses is the phrase “put it into practice.” It will look differently for everyone, but confessing my worry to my husband and friends was a great practice for me to keep it from robbing me of God’s blessings in my life.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever found yourself weighed down with worry? What is your strategy to "shift your focus" in those times?

2. Have you cultivated a spirit of thankfulness for the ways God provides for you, heals you, and loves you? I would recommend the devotional 31 Days of Praise.

3. Do you believe that God is for you and has a plan for your life? (Jeremiah 29:11)

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. How do we store up treasures in heaven?

2. Which are more important to you, treasures on earth or treasures in heaven?

3. What things do you worry about? What does God say about our worry (verses 27 & 33)

Comments

The views expressed under “Comments” are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.

  1. JP

    January 16, 2010 08:16 AM

    Shout out to Blake! ...shift your focus. That's a good word Jen!

  2. Adam & Jackie

    January 18, 2010 06:00 AM

    We've seen you faithfully live this this message Jen. We are thankful for your friendship and example in our lives. Great word this morning.

  3. Debbie Kelly

    January 18, 2010 08:02 AM

    I am a huge worrywart, Jenn, and it is so beneficial for me to have a reminder - often! - that the one who is in charge of everything calls me his child. Thank you!

  4. Robert

    January 18, 2010 09:05 AM

    Jen, Well done! I have forwarded it to others as we need to "shift focus" onto Him. Grant is a blessed guy.

  5. Jan

    January 18, 2010 10:08 AM

    Thanks, Jen, for a great reminder for a chronic worrier. I am learning how to shift the focus, your devo just made it come into a lot clearer focus for me (I need some reading glasses!). All this earthly stuff is passing, and I need the reminder to focus on my everlasting life with Him, part of which is happening right now. And right now it may as well be true, noble, right, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praisewothy as the opposite. Thanks for the help getting this to my heart, and then, I hope, to my hands and feet.

  6. Robert Johnson

    January 18, 2010 12:23 PM

    As my wife and I reflected on this passage, we gained new perspective on the concept of storing up treasures in heaven. I had always visualized this as though there was like some storage room in heaven where I could store stuff that I had accomplished for Christ in this life: you know, people I helped "save"n major spiritual milestones, things of that nature. I always thought that evevtually in heaven, I would give those things to God as a gift some day. You get the visual imagery. Anyhow, as I read the passage today, it struck me that there are heavenly treasures that are made available to us here on this earth. Christ died on the Cross for us. That's one. The scriptures that have been passed on to us are filled with heavenly treasures. Many times heavenly treasures are revealed to me on Sunday mornings as I listen to Todd or in my community group. If I am honest with myself, most of the time I have held up these heavenly treasures as I have encountered them and marveled at their beauty. I have seen them like a diamond and observed the radiance of their many facets. And then, I have laid them aside and continued on my way. As I read this passage now, I feel I am being instructed to no longer lay these treasures aside, but to store them up. I need to store them within me. It occured to me that my journal ( you know, the one I haven't written in these last 6 years) is like a treasure box that I can store them in. So, I am turning a page, and I am ready to begin storing up treasures in heaven. How about you?

  7. Bart Johnston

    January 18, 2010 12:43 PM

    Thanks for the reminder to stop worrying about tomorrow and be thankful for today.

  8. Andy Kerner

    January 18, 2010 12:47 PM

    Jen - great application today!!! From a world-class worrier that has joy robbed all the time - your devotional was well-timed for me. We spent the last 9 months worrying for Lauren's situation and now we have an awesome grandson.

  9. Beth

    January 18, 2010 03:07 PM

    Thanks Jen for sharing! Appreciate it! Great perspective on shifting our focus to God's word and his truth in times of worry! I know sweet Jax will learn a lot from his momma!

  10. jo tiller

    January 18, 2010 05:14 PM

    thanks for the thought provoking questions today and the verse from philippians...so encouraging i have put on in my journal of special scripture to refer to when the worry monster creeps into my home

  11. paul rutherford

    January 18, 2010 05:15 PM

    Mrs. Farrell, Thank you. God spoke to me just now, as I read through your devo. His words and his power are great, indeed! I've been far too concerned about my external needs of late, and desperately need to shift focus back to His Kingdom and His righteousness. Thanks for sharing.

  12. Katie

    January 18, 2010 06:03 PM

    Thank you Jen. Enjoyed your writing. I can relate to the part about wanting the best for your child. Having a child gave me a mini God's-eye-veiw of myself. This concept helps remind me of how God see's me and others.

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Jen Farrell

Jen Farrell

My name is Jennifer Farrell, and I’ve been married to my husband, Grant, for three years. We have a new baby boy named Jax and two furry Farrells (yellow labs) that are adjusting to no longer being the center of attention at home. When they hear the baby crying, they look at me like they are saying, “Make it stop,” and I look at them and say, “Just tell me how, doggies.”