Harper and I were having a visit on Facetime. This five-year-old bundle of love, my niece’s daughter, was telling me all about her Guinea pig, Skitters. Skitters was her new best friend. He went down the sliding board with her, nibbled on baby carrots at tea parties across from her, and nestled in the mini stroller in front of her during walks. Oh, how she loved Skitters.
“I had a Guinea pig when I was a little girl, too!” I shared. “His name was Oscar!”
“You did? What happened to Oscar?” she asked. “Did you give him away or did he die? Do Guinea pigs go to heaven?”
I was not expecting those questions and wished I had kept my Guinea pig history to myself. When we said our goodbyes, I realized that Harper, even at five years old, was worried about her little friend. She was anxious about Skitter’s future. Goldie the goldfish had a short life, and well, do Guinea pigs live longer?
It seemed such a small thing…what was going to happened to Skitters in the long run. And then I wondered if my anxious thoughts seem like small things to God.
I worry about my son and then I remember that God has a host of angels surrounding him (Psalm 91:11-12). Protecting Steven is a small thing to God.
I grow anxious about pandemics and then I remember that all my days were numbered before there was even one of them (Psalm 139:16).
It is so easy to fall into the trap of worrying about world events, particularly wars and rumors of war we are hearing about in the news right now. The media shows us horrific details of bombed-out buildings and burned-out homes. People fleeing and parents weeping.
And I get anxious. I grow worried.
Then God reminds me of Who He is and What He does through the Scripture I read time and time again. He runs things. He is not aloof. He is not absent in life’s happenings. As He told Moses at the burning bush, He sees, He hears, He is concerned (Exodus 3:7).
I need to remember that God has a plan for history—it is providential and not accidental. The word “providential” means “to see before,” to have a particular end or goal in mind. What happens in world history and with your and my history is not happenstance. He is in control of the sacred and secular. World history and my history.
God said: “Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish” (Isaiah 46:9-10 NLT).
I imagine God saying, Oh honey, don’t worry about what’s going on in the world at large or in your life right now. The happenings are not a surprise to Me. I’m still in control. I’m still on my throne. And remember, nothing is too difficult for Me. Your worries may loom large for you, but they are not too difficult for Me.
So what do we do when those anxious feelings creep in? We pray and give our burdens and worries to God (Psalm 55:2).
Paul wrote, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6 NLT).
A paraphrase of that verse says it this way: Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life (The Message).
Don’t you love that: “Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers.” I don’t know what you’re anxious about today, but I do know God is in control. And He is good.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being the Omnipotent God Who takes care of every need and calms every anxious heart. I give You my worries and concerns, knowing that You are in control, and You always have a good plan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Leave a comment and complete this sentence. I am trusting that God will __________ in my life.
DIGGING DEEPER
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Comments 70
I needed this so much today. I am struggling with some health issues n my mind is leading my worry. I give my thoughts to God and before I know it I have taken them back and the anxiety kicks in. I am praying for God to take my anxiety and restore me to His service. Thank you
Praying for you now.
Oh my God! God bless you so much, iam greatly encouraged, lifted up through your sharing and teaching, from the pit of worry and despair about the tuition needs as my children have to go to school. I choose to kick away worries and pray to God almighty for He is able to pave way in Jesus Name amen.
I am also dealing with health issues very serious issues however my God is already at work. I struggle with worry, I’m constantly talking to the Lord. Been married fifty years to a man that doesn’t believe in God and he is about to have heart surgery. I will stand firm on the rock of my Savior he is my stronghold in which I stand. God is stronger and mighty than the devil. Satan will try to tear us down, he creeps in our minds and tells us lies. Tell that devil that you serve a mighty God.
We are the children of the King of Kings!
Sue Anne I pray right now that you feel the presence of God and you know his angels are all around. That you lean unto him, call out to your Father in heaven. He will never leave you or forsake. You. That you will receive a miracle and how a testament to share with others.
God is Bigger !
Love in Christ,
Anita
Father God, we pray for Anna’s hubby who doesn’t know You and is facing heart surgery. We ask that He would have a divine encounter with You! Soften his heart and bring him to faith in You, Lord Jesus. We pray also for healing for Anna. Touch her body and minister to her soul. Do the miracles that only You can do! We ask in Jesus’ precious name. Amen
Father God, we pray for Anita’s hubby who doesn’t know You and is facing heart surgery. We ask that He would have a divine encounter with You! Soften his heart and bring him to faith in You, Lord Jesus. We pray also for healing for Anita. Touch her body and minister to her soul. Do the miracles that only You can do! We ask in Jesus’ precious name. Amen
I am trusting that God will never leave me. He is with me through the valleys, and as I climb those difficult mountains in life, unable to see what’s ahead of me, he is right there beside me, guiding me. As I pray for his comfort in the joy of knowing him, he provides for me along this path.
Thank you Father God, you are my rock, help me to keep my eyes on you and not my circumstances !
Thank you so much, I am so thankful that we serve an amazing God who can see us through every situation and who pours out His abundance on His children, Great is His Faithfulness, thank you for answering and hearing my petitions not only for me for others to win souls to His Kingdom. In Jesus Name.
Sue, it’s so easy to let the worries happen. My prayers are with you. I am in the midst of lots of hormonal anxiety and worries as I have never been before. I am working hard to put my armor of God on because it is not a fun place to be. HOWEVER, God has shown me time and time again the He knows the plans he has for me—Plans to prosper me and not harm me and plans for a future… Jeremiah 29:11 (this scripture has given me such hope lately as the years fall. l know He is in control and trying hard to make my mind realize what my heart knows. God bless you. 💜
May God bless and touch you today Sue Anna! Hugs! God always keeps his promises and loves you with an Agape LOVE!!
Sue Anna, I too have serious health issues and am struggling in the same way you’ve described. I hand it over and take it back. Let pray for each other.
Thank you for these beautiful reminders of His great Love and Mercy. Our God blesses us beyond our imagination 🙏❤️
Hi Gm , thank you so much for those words, my husband and I are going thru a difficult time in our marriage, help me pray for us . I love the lord , right now I’m concern about us , don’t know where this will end eventually , which I don’t want , we barely married a year in a half .. we married in our early sixties . He has some mental issues his bipolar and an x drug addict , which I found out all of this after we were married . I believe in miracles , nothing is impossible for our God , just went to life in his will and be obedient to what he has plan for me … prayer for my grandson Gabriel his 22 .. long story , God knows it all and he know the desires of my heart … lovely word today .. thank you
Many blessing
You sister in Christ
Sandy Lewis
My husband name is John
I am trusting that God will provide all that I need in my life.
Philippians 4:19
Although I may worry and fret, ultimately I know that God is in control. Get the behind me Satan!
I am trusting that God will continue to heal my husband and make his heart stronger. He had open heart surgery 2 months ago. God has already healed him in so many ways!
This morning as I have had a terrible yesterday and night- worrying, anxious , upset and feeling very sad’ however,praying but perhaps Not the right way as I was scared & sic but He heared me and gave me some sleep ! This morning as I was starting to read Scripture,devotion & my quie time with Him ( I picked up my cell
phone & your blog popped up – no accident as all you said I needed!!!) What a wonderful Savior we have !!
I read it, printed it and no will read each Scripture and read it again today & keep to read each time I feel anxious fr worry&bThand you and God bless you!1
Author
No accident! God is pursuing you!
I am trusting that God will grow my church both Spiritually and numerically.
I have using Sharon’s book, ” Praying For Your Husband from Head to Toe”, and God has done remarkable things in his life as a result of these prayers. I Highly recommend this book!!!!!
I am trusting that God will continue to lead me and guide me and my family and remind us that He is all knowing and faithful in my life.
I am trusting that God will be first in my life.
I am trusting that God will help me to build bridges and be victorious in my life.
Trusting that I will STOP my worrying and trust God (yep anxious for family, health, our nation, you name it the doubts creep in)
Thank you for the thoughts and the Scripture to place before me today!
I am trusting that God will give peace and joy over my life that gives release from fear anxiety and grief.
Take complete control over my life but I have to let him
I am trusting that God will move mountains in my life. I am trusting that he’s making a way for my husband and I to have children. By his grace and mercy, Amen
I am trusting that God will help me with my anxiety
So very hard to remember to bring all my cares and worries and concerns to Jesus, placing them at His feet on the cross. When I get overwhelmed with my stuff, the physical, the emotional, the spiritual and the mental, I just fall apart. And then I remember to pray, and cry out to God, and he hears my pleas and then I rebuke the evil attacks, because he has already been defeated by Jesus on the cross. Praising him and thanking him for all he has done, and all he is doing and will continue to do.
Dear Sharon,
I have been reading your devotionals for years. I subscribed to Girlfriends in God. You seem to always address what I am feeling! I am constantly worried about the future. Your devotional helped me immensely!
Fondly,
Gina Lindsey
Author
Thank you Gina! That because we are all struggling!
Good Morning, I needed to read this passage today. I am so overwhelmed and I feel so inadequate. My daughter went to a Christian Bible Study Retreat this weekend and my mother got sick. I am criticized 24/7 yet I keep trying. I ask God to show me what it is he wants me to do am I honoring him? I am so frustrated, I know he is there but at times I can not feel him. It seems the more I try to do right and be obedient the more difficult life becomes.
Psalm 55:22, is the one that says cast thy burden upon the Lord.
I am trusting that God will heal me and always protect my kids and I and guide us all In his path to tell others of his goodness.
I love this. I appreciate the simplicity of your writing
I am trusting that God faithfulness is always in my life. Thank you for a powerful word and reminder that we are in God’s hand.
Thank you God for answered prayers and petitions.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer two weeks ago. Stage 1A with a very small mass that the surgeon commented that he didn’t know how it was picked up with an ultrasound. Compared to other stages – so minimal but it carries an emotional impact and concern as I hurry up and wait. The waiting is hard. I have to remind myself that God is in control and I’m not!
Author
Praise God they found it!!!
I feel your anxiety because I, too, had Stage 1 breast cancer. I have been cancer free now for 5 years now. Just remember that God’s timing is always perfect! Lord Jesus, please help Cathy to rest in your arms and have comfort in the fact that you are always in control! Thank you for giving her doctors wisdom to do whatever needs to be done to help her become a cancer survivor! In Jesus precious name I pray…Amen!
Debbie
I am trusting God to bring victory into my prayer life for all the years I have been praying for my children to ” come back to their own border” ( Jeremiah 31: 16-17! Thank you Lord Jesus!!
This devotion was so timely as I navigate current things in my world. I am trusting that God will lead me to the next location He wants me to live, calm my anxious heart surrounding my future and continue orchestrating every area & detail in my life.
I am trusting God He will heal my husband of cancer and heal my children’s hearts so they may be together again.
God is good and knows all things.
Thank you Jesus!
I am trusting God to heal my entire body and restore it back like it was created, I also trust him for financial overflow so I can move from my place in help others like me and purchase a new car paid in full and house well. I trust God to allow me more forgiving and be more obedient to His Word . My Father Heaven my life is complete mess please change it for better spiritually. Mentally, physically and financially in Jesus and thank Him for it advance .
Loved this inspiration
Thank you for this much needed word today.
I am trusting that God will right the wrongs in my life & in my family’s life, and throughout the world.
Make the crooked paths straight and the mountains be made low and the valleys rise up.
That His TRUTH would be revealed to those who are afar off & they’d have authentic conversions with Christ.
I am praying for healing for my brother Mark’s cancer.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.
Trusting God to carry me thru each new day He gives us. ✝️🙏❤️
I am praying for the salvation of my husband and daughter, the reconciliation of our family and restoration of our marriage. My husband divorced me. My fault, I was in a back sliden state. I have repented and there is no adultery in our lives. He is a good man, wonderful father and a super husband. But we did not pray together. Thank you Lord for saving him, our daughter, reconciling our family and restoring our 30 year marriage. I believe. PS 27; 13-14
I am trusting God will work all things (our marriages, minor & adult children’s & grandchildren’s salvation and relationships with God & family and friends, our health/physical/spiritual/emotional healing, addictions, our sister’s, brother & parents struggles along with our newest surprise that is not a surprise at all to God) together for our good and His glory. Amen!!!
Thank you, Sharon! I love Daniel 2:20-22. It is my go to when world worries
beset me. “ Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons;He removes kings and sets up kings.He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding.. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in
the darkness, and the light dwells in Him”. Amen!
I feel so thankful that I opened this devotional exactly when I did. I needed it right in the moment. I had just for the millionth time surrendered my anxiety and worry before Christ along with all my doubts about whether the Holy Spirit is really working through me.
I’m grateful also for everyone and their honest replies to this as well and I have prayed for each one as I read everyone’s needs poured out.
I’m also grateful for the Daniel 2:20-22 scripture reference. I have written with my memory verses and I am writing it in my heart. I pray blessings for all of us. We can do this with God. ❤️✝️❤️
I am trusting that God will continue to work in my life and those of my chikdren and grandchildren whether I am around or not.
Thank you for this confirmation today. My prayer is for a solution to a debt I’ve been trying to to prove was paid. I’m continua being told it was not and I no longer work or have access to systems to show this. Being retired now I don’t have the funds to handle this.
This reassured me to give it to God and let him handle it. ABBA Father, thank you for speaking to me today. Thank you for how you care for me and for all you do in Jesus name. Amen
I am older in age but new in ministry. I am trusting God will complete the good work He has begun in my life. Thank you for these insightful devotions.
I am trusting that God will help to heal me from my past trauma and present conflicting relationship with my unstable sister.
I am trying to trust God to bring my gay son back to repentance before he causes irreparable damage to himself.
I am truly thankful for my new Christian therapist!!
Thank you Sharon for your much needed devotional today.! I met you a few years ago at a women’s retreat at Camp Berea in NH!
I need prayer I did a stupid thing I called PayPal and the man on the phone told me it was PayPal. He told me that my account has been hacked. He needed me to go into my account. Write up a bogus etransfer and transfer him money and I did it twice, he told me it would only be there for a few minutes and they would put it right back in my account but that didn’t happen. I lost $3000 pray that I get it back.
Call your bank quickly. Perhaps they will freeze the funds and do a fraud investigation. I pray for quick resolution and even if it resolve that somehow you are able to be at peace with it and that Gid will work it out for good. Please give your stress and worry to God. He wants to take that worry from you.
I truly needed this message today. I am in a loving relationship with a man I went to high school with over fifty years ago. We reconnected at our fifty year high school reunion almost two years ago. He list his wife almost three years ago, and is upon the day of his anniversary tomorrow.
We do miss each other when we are not together ~ he is in Arkansas and I am in our hometown in Montana, where we were in school together.
Your message helps remind me to Always look up seeking God’s Grace and Peace to carry me through these times that cause me to be anxious.
God’s presence has shown me that my relationship with this man has been known by God throughout our lives. My prayer is that Go’s special timing of only a matter of time is Near for us to be side by side in One state instead of the distance we currently experience. I know in my heart God has this planned for us! God’s Favor and Blessings are shown to us in many ways over the time we reconnected. Praising Him and praying He carries us through the next chapter of days surrounding my man’s challenges regarding his sadness about his anniversary. Amen
As I read your message today it hit home. I was married 40 years and been going through the divorce process and it has been so painful. I was a stay at home wife and mother and I have been struggling terribly the last 8 years as my exhusband refuses to pay my support. Back to court yearly and I am exhausted. I know the Lord has been with me through it all… but well into my 60’s and I cannot make ends meet. I feel physically sick daily as he has manipulated the court system and the Judge will not make a decision to help me. It is affecting my health and my ability to function daily. No interests in what I used to love. I know nothing is impossible with God also He knows every single thing that I need. I also know He is counting my tears. Please lift me in prayer. 🙏🏻
I trust God but I always pray that He help my unbelief. I pray and tell God I cast my cares at his feet but then later I am worrying about them. I am praying mightily for my family and everyone. I pray I will let go of anxiety and worrying. I pray but is it in vain?
Every prayer draws you closer to God your Heavenly Father. He loves you and cares for you and is grieved when you are hurting. We all struggle the same way. His ways and His thoughts are higher than ours. He has perfect timing for our lives. He just needs us to trust Him and continue to talk wit Him and also to listen to Him in the quiet moments.
I am trusting God with the Good and the no matter how bad the situation looks right now. Reminded me when Jesus was asleep on the boat. To Jesus it was a small matter but lately I feel like the disciples I’m thinking I’m drowning, this is too much for me with a son with substance abuse. I’ve said it a few times” I’m overwhelmed” But today I’ve said “This is a small matter for God. He’s got my son and all the young people on this planet in the palm of his hands. It’s simple if Jesus can sleep during the storm then I can sleep. He’s got this!!!!
Just yesterday I was brought back to worrying about my son, which I haven’t been doing for a few weeks now. I had God’s Peace that passes understanding about my kid. Then yesterday I overheard his psych professor tell their class about a research assignment. So when he came to my office after class I asked him about his topic. He waffles and didn’t tell me what it is. And now the worrying is back because he can’t/won’t open up with me, or his dad, or his sisters. He doesn’t have close friends. He is a worry…
I am trusting to provide financially so my son and I are able to relocate without added stress when he goes to college, and praying that my last chemo infusion ends in May.; student loan is forgiven.
Hello Sharon,
This such a great message. A good reminder to exchange worry into prayers of wonder. To release any second thoughts and make room for God to control.
We are so Blessed!
I am trusting that God will work out every detail in our upcoming move out of state. There are so many things that must happen at a certain time. It is exciting and, if I’m honest, it also produces a bit of anxiety. We have both seen firsthand the faithfulness of God! I know He has a perfectly laid plan for how we will serve Him in our new home, church, and community. It is hard to leave close friends and the ministry job I have served in for many years, but I look forward to this new chapter in our walk.
Juselda
March 1, 2024, At 11; 13 am
I am Trusting that God will send a good man into my life
I am always in a constant worry. I pray everyday.
Leave a comment and complete this sentence. I am trusting that God will PROTECT ME AND GUIDE ME TO THE RIGHT PATH in my life.
I am hours away from my second cardiac bypass graft surgery and it has taken a while to get here but I have an amazing team now and feel so much more comfortable with this surgery than I did 3 months ago. It’s still a bit scary, but I know God has this and I have so many people lifting me up in prayer. God has a plan for me and I’m started to figure it out.