Matthew 11:28-30
"Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."

I have a confession to make. I struggle with worry—over-analyzing what should have happened, agonizing over what is happening, and fretting about what might happen. I know some people are more prone to worry than others, but I think we all struggle with worry at some time or another. And that struggle may be at different levels. Some worry is as little as what your parents will say about a bad test score; some as big as the fear of losing someone close to you. I often don’t even realize it when I am worrying. I’ll be thinking about something I did or said that bothers me and it suddenly becomes something I can’t stop thinking about. I just can’t let go of it.

The word “worry” in the verb form is defined as ”to choke or strangle.” It makes sense. If someone grabs you by the neck, you are only going to be thinking about how to get them off. In that instant, it would be hard to think of anything else, wouldn’t it? In the same way, worried thoughts and emotions are hard to shake. They scream loudly, squeezing our minds and hearts, and it’s hard to move on until the choke hold is released. I guess my reason for confessing my own worry is that I have been realizing that it’s something that doesn’t have to strangle us. Our feelings of regret and anxiety are not from God. In fact, His son died to set us free from them. God has something else in mind for us: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” What’s interesting about this verse is that it doesn’t say, “Present your request to God and He will give you what you want.” It says, “Present your request to God and He will give you peace.” And by giving you His peace, God is allowing you to see things more like He sees them.

For a long time I didn’t understand this concept. I was feeling hurt and confused by God not giving me answers when I thought I needed them. Then I realized that prayer isn’t just about receiving answers—it’s about bringing each situation of life into the presence of God. It’s asking God to show you, in every situation, how you can think more like He thinks and act more like He acts. Sometimes it will be as clear as day what you should do or say. But other times, change will only occur by drawing closer to God and becoming more like Him.

That passage in Philippians goes on to say, “Finally brothers, whatever 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.” (Philippians 4:8-9) I don’t believe you can just say some words and expect all your fears to go away. Getting rid of worry and replacing it with God’s peace is a fight that happens in your mind. You have to take that worry and see it the way God sees it. To do that, you have to know what His Word has to say about it.

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” 1 John 4:18

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” Nahum 1:17

“Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Dear Lord, I need you now I am full of stress and anxiety. Reading your Word brings comfort, as I ask you to come and take my heavy burdens. I take each burden, one by one, and lay them at your feet. Please carry them for me so that I don't have to. Replace them with your humble and gentle yoke so that I will find rest for my soul today. I receive your gift of peace of mind and heart. Thank you that I can lie down tonight in peace and sleep. I know that you, Lord, will keep me safe. I am not afraid because you are always with me. Please keep me daily, Lord, in your perfect peace. Amen

Thomas Bolte
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Lincoln, NE