As the mother of three sons, I’ve experienced plenty of worry. Mothers of daughters probably worry even more. It’s a natural response to uncertain situations, right?

Right. Worry brings on feelings of helplessness. Synonyms for worry: distress, anxiety. Overwhelming stress is an awful feeling.

However, if I’m a Christian, I’m told by Jesus NOT to worry. Peter offered specific instructions (1Peter 5:6-7).

Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand.Cast all your anxiety (worry) on Him.What Does THAT Look Like?

How can I turn my helpless worries into helpful concern for the person I’m worried about?

First, we need to see the difference between “worry” and “concern.” I’ve already defined “worry.” It does nothing positive for anyone. In fact, in Old English, it means to tear at something like a cat “worrying” a mouse.

 

 

“Concern” is a different story. A synonym for concern is “care.” We want to be involved with someone we care for without getting tangled in our own feelings. Staying calm does not mean we’re indifferent. Indifference would mean we didn’t care.

When we follow biblical instructions by humbling ourselves before God (Lord, I can’t fix this!) and casting our worries on Him, then:

We receive comfort from the Holy Spirit, andHis comfort transforms our distress to calm concern.

Final result: peace for ourselves and an ability to calmly assist others.

 

 

Let’s return to one of my once-upon-a-time teen sons.

The kid is out way past curfew. I’m lying in bed, sleepless, waiting for the police to knock on my door. At some point, the Lord gets my attention. Knowing I have no power to control the situation in the moment, my imagination of the car in a ditch changes to prayer for his safety—whether in a ditch or at a party. God reminds me HE knows where my son is that very minute. HE has things under control.

Well, I trust God with my son. I stop hyperventilating over his absence. My prayers for him continue (worry becomes concern), and I drift into peaceful sleep—until I hear the front door open. Yeah, that boy is not happy to see Mama Bear approaching!

Do You See the Progression?

Naturally, we worry. We fret. Then, Jesus invites us to tell Him all about it and hand over the worry to Him. He comforts us, and we calm down. We still have no solution to the problem, but we understand that God does. The person we’re praying for is in His hands, and our worries are, too. We can be peaceful while we wait. Even if the answer to our prayers isn’t what we hoped for, we still know:

 

God’s got this.

 

 

 

 

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