worry

  • Do You Ever Go To Sleep Worried?

    “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
    Matthew 11:28-30

    A couple years ago, I went out for dinner at a Spanish restaurant in Tampa with my daughter Shelby, her roomie Boquet, and Bo’s mom, Mel. We had such a great night with lots of talking… ‘cause that’s what us girls do!

    Guatemalan Worry DollsAt the end of our meal, the waitress gave each of us Guatemalan worry dolls.  She told us how it was customary for parents to help children who worried at night by making the dolls. Worrisome Guatemalan children are encouraged to tell the doll all their fears.

    Legend teaches them that the doll will take the child’s worry upon themselves, so they can sleep.  When the child wakes up in the morning, the doll is supposed to have fixed their problems.  It’s a whimsical way to help quell the anxiety of children, but I can’t imagine it being sufficient to silence the stress of adults who go to sleep worried.

    DO YOU EVER GO TO SLEEP WORRIED?

    I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all had times when we go to sleep worriedor maybe I’m the only one {Insert wink here}. Life can be stressful and full of situations that seek to make you worry. At times I’ve found myself so wound up that my mind can’t settle. 

    When I let them, worries of this life can keep my eyes wide open, while Todd’s already dreaming beside me in bed. But it doesn’t have to be like this, in fact, it shouldn’t be like this. It’s challenging to read how the NLT translates Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:32. When talking about worry, He said, “These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows your needs.”

    It makes sense that unbelievers should worry because they don’t have a God to help them. Christians minds shouldn’t be dominated by worry. 

    MATTHEW 11:28-30In today’s key verse, Jesus gives you an offer that should help you fall asleep, as soon as your head hits the pillow… even without a Guatemalan worry doll.

    It’s amazing to me how people can let a man-made doll, only 1-2 inches tall take their worry away; yet we struggle to trust our troubles with God… the same God who formed you in your mother’s womb, holds the universe in place, sets the timing of the tides, and feeds the birds of the air.

    Jesus actually invites you to give all your burdens to Him, and unlike the little dolls, He actually has the power to do something about your problems.

    Jesus promises that when you give your weary, burdened thoughts to Him, He’ll, in turn, give you rest for your soul… you know, that physical part of you that needs sleep. Your worry, for His rest… Now that’s a deal you shouldn’t turn down!     

    So, today, why not give your worry to Jesus, let Him take care of it, so you can get a great night’s sleep tonight!

    Prayer

    Father… Forgive me for holding onto my worry. Help me to release all my anxious thoughts to You and receive Your rest.  I place my stress, my worry, my doubt and my fear into Your all-powerful hands and I won’t pick it back up again.  I choose to release and trust, because You are trustworthy. In Jesus Name…Amen

    DOES YOUR STRUGGLE GO BEYOND WORRY, COULD IT BE ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION?  I’VE COMPILED RESOURCES TO HELP YOUR MENTAL HEALTH : 
    https://sherrystahl.com/mental-health-resources/

    Soul H2O
    If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you’ll love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

    #Dare2Share Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!

    DRAWING FROM THE WELL

    1. Matthew 11:28-30
    2. Philippians 4:6
    3. Jeremiah 31:25
    4. Matthew 6:25-34

    Saturday’s Soul H2O Radio/Podcast Episode starts off discussing this devotion and leads into a deep discussion on Can You Believe In God & Be Depressed.  Sarah E. Ball is my interview Guest and I know you’ll be encouraged by her story. 

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  • Repeats

    This was the first Soul H2O Devotion ever written.  It was first sent out in email and then posted on the blog when it was started in the fall of 2013, before I started adding #musicpic songs and Drawing From The Well verses to help you dive in a little deeper into the subject of the devotion to quench your spiritual thirst! Since then I’ve had the website rebranded a few times and sadly, lost the original graphics and comments but I hope it will still bring you the same encouragement it did at the beginning.


    DO NOT WORRY… DO NOT WORRY… DO NOT WORRY
    ~Matthew 6:25, 32, 34

    REPEATSLately, I keep going back to the Devotional in my Water In The Desert book called “DON’T BE AFRAID”.  The verses you lookup are so repetitive…and I mean that in a good way!  I am overwhelmed at how many times God encourages us in His Word to “not worry”, “don’t be afraid”, “do not fear”, “do not fret”. 

    In one short passage alone Jesus bluntly tells us “Do not worry” three times!

    Do Not Worry… On Repeat

    To paraphrase Joshua 23:3, God is saying,

    “You’ve seen what I’ve done for you and how I’ve been the one on your side!”

    Then, He starts to remind the people how He was there for them and what He did for them.  God is our father and all too often we act like little children who need to be reminded of what our dad does for us.  We need that spiritual “cold shower” to wake us up and remind us that God is with us, so…we don’t need to worry! 

    When I want to get my kids to understand something or not forget something, I repeat myself.  The more important, or the more bothered I am with them for not listening will determine how many times I repeat myself!  Do you get the spiritual similarities?  Our heavenly father does the same!  As you study The Word, listen to our father’s REPEATS.  Be encouraged to trust and not worry…He’s on the job!

    Prayer

    Father, Help me to be aware of who you are and all you’ve done for me.  May I not take it for granted or minimize all you do.  Please help me to focus on your greatness and your goodness so that I don’t worry, but live in confidence! In Jesus Name, Amen

    (Inspired by WATER IN THE DESERT; Section 2-WATER PARTING; Don’t Be Afraid Devotion).  
     

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