Above my writing desk in my tiny office at home is a wall-art stencil, a quotation that my husband gave me last Christmas. It reads: “Pray about everything. Worry about nothing.” Like many women – mothers especially – I have a tendency to worry. I think my hubby hoped a “subtle” reminder on the wall might cure me of the habit! Daily I have worked under the silent supplications of this verse. Yet today, a year later, the verse came alive, jumping off the wall and into my spirit as if to find its true voice. And I felt compelled to give voice to this verse, which comes directly from Jesus: Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? …Why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
These words, unfortunately, are so well known that we don’t really think about them anymore. Like the quote on my wall, they are seen but not heard. We know we’re supposed to trust God. It’s a faith “basic.” And yet worry, somehow, has been elevated to a type of “godly concern” – an expression of a mother’s “love” or a mark of “good stewardship.” We end up praying our concerns rather than God’s scripture promises. We fearfully set money or goods aside to “prepare for the worst,” not trusting God to provide.
I’m not knocking prayers of petition or good stewardship. Both are urgently needed. But as always, the question is: “where’s your heart?” This is the issue Jesus addressed in Matthew 6:21: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Christ was concerned because He knew that no one can serve two masters (v.24). You either serve God or you serve mammon. If you have chosen to serve God, as Christ assumed His followers did, then the word “Therefore” at the beginning of verse 25 is a critical turning point. To paraphrase: “Since you cannot serve God AND the devil, DO NOT WORRY.” Worry is the source of our service to mammon. Worry worships the devil. How? It is rooted in covetousness, selfishness, fear and all things demonic. Worry’s words give voice to complaints which offend the Father who takes care of us. THEREFORE, since we serve God, worry should not be anywhere near our dwellings. Our lives should be full of the trust that praises God. Worry is the mark of an unbeliever (Matthew 6:32). Seeking God first is the mark of a mature believer. And we know that when we do seek God first, everything else will be taken care of. So it’s time for me to jump off the fence and choose God’s side, once and for all. Do I really want to be known as a worry-wart? No way! Whose side are you on? Are you with me? Prayer: God, Please forgive me for the sin of worry. I don’t want any part of my life to be in service to the devil or his ways! I choose to pray about everything and worry about nothing. Amen!
c. Deborah Perkins / His Inscriptions
Deborah Perkins is the founder of His Inscriptions, a ministry for Christians who want to know God's Word and hear His voice. Through her website, a weekly blog and inspired teaching, Deborah offers discipleship and mentoring for those who want to grow their relationship with God. A ministry leader for over 25 years, Deborah is an experienced prophetic counselor, marriage mentor, and prayer warrior. She's also fond of her hubby, 3 sons, and dark chocolate - in that order! 
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November 2023
AuthorA severe hearing loss from childhood caused Deborah Perkins to develop what she now calls her secret weapon: tuning in to God's voice. A Wellesley College graduate and an award-winning writer, Deborah is now a wife and mother of 3 boys. Deborah has devoted over 25 years to professional and lay Christian ministry in New England and beyond. Her passion is inspiring people to cultivate greater intimacy with God. 
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