Who doesn't worry? It's just a part of life, isn't it? If we didn't worry or at least be concerned, wouldn't we be cold hearted or at least in denial?

I can think of countless things I can personally worry about and then there are my loved ones who can REALLY make me worry. It's so easy to drift to the land of "what if this happens or that happens?" I've been to that place so many times. I don't like it there.

For those of you who have everything going smoothly in your life and you don't have anything to temp you to worry, I advise you not to listen to the news. If there has ever been a reason to worry, seriously there is now.

Worry sometimes presents itself in a “oh-so-hard-to-resist” package that sometimes I will open it. When I do, even if it’s just to take a little peek, it grabs me and I can become so paralyzed in a web of worry that is hard to escape. I have worried about my kids, my grandkids, my husband, my friends, my health, everyone’s health, my business, my finances, my purpose, my house, my dinner, my book, my blog… There have been times when I have been suddenly awakened at 3 a.m. for days and even weeks in a row with the same worrisome thoughts. It starts out, “What am I going to do about…?” Then it would go into a list of ways to solve the problem which normally circles back to, I have no clue what to do, so I would just worry.

I'm sure most of you can relate and since there are so many of us, doesn't it make it okay?

What do we do, besides worry, when there are things in our lives we just cannot fix? Is being worried the best use of our time and energy, or is there a better way? Can we actually make a difference if we change this deep seeded addiction to worry?

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid." John 14:27

Why don't we read that again. "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid." John 14:27

So, I have read that scripture before many times, as you may have. I've always liked the first part about Him giving us peace. I'm sure we all do, but why don't we experienced peace on a continual basis? Why does it seem to come and go at times?

The word "peace" in the original language not only means our state of tranquillity but the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation, security, safety, and prosperity. It's a word from a primary VERB meaning "to join." There is no real peace without joining together with Jesus and it takes action on our part.

Then there's the peace the world gives, which He says is not what He offers. This peace depends totally on our outward circumstances. I don't know about you, but before Jesus, I could have everything going my way and still have torment inside.

Jesus is offering us His peace, but He still leaves us with instructions. "Do not LET your heart be troubled, nor LET it be afraid." He's telling us we have a choice over what we let our heart do. We can accept the false peace of the world or come up higher and accept the peace He is offering and follow His instructions to resist the urge to let our "heart be troubled." If you've read the Bible much, you know Jesus said over and over again, "Be not afraid." He wasn't just wanting to calm us down but give us a key to walk in peace. I'm not saying it's always easy. It's not, but if you resist worry, He will give His you peace (if you are in Him).

Trust in Him. Walk in His peace. Don't accept the invitation to "be concerned" or "worry" or "fear." It may be "normal" in the world, but when you're in Jesus, you are not of this world. You will be helping yourself and those you love if you turn away from fear and worry. Don't live in denial there are problems. Some problems are very serious, but you are not helping if you are stuck in worry and fear. Turn to the One Who can do something about it. It may take a long walk of faith. You may spend many nights in prayer, but you will truly be doing something about the problem instead of standing still in fear.

Oh, and the next time you wake up at 3 a.m. wondering what you are going to do about something you can't do anything about, just say, "I resist worry and fear, in Jesus Name. I choose to trust in my Father to take care of the problem."

Now go. Walk in peace.