“God willing.” This addendum to future intentions can be the antidote for worry. But only if we truly believe and apply it well.
Worry can steal our moments and cause us to question ours and/or God’s plans. In the process we miss the present. I heard a great analogy recently by Tauren Wells “Worry is a dark room where negatives develop.” Such truth there.
Worry perpetuates fear and hampers forward progress. Something is needed to keep us focused on God and His plans, not worry about ours.
In my recent Bible reading I was drawn to Psalm 90:12:
“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
It’s one I’ve already memorized because it hit close to home. After losing some loved ones too soon, worry engulfed me. My plans were completely shattered. But in that discomfort, God showed up with His plans and wisdom.
New Plans
James explains making plans like this:
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. ~James 4:14-17
This really frames making plans, doesn’t it? It’s the source of the ‘God willing’ addendum. But while I’ve learned and believe we shouldn’t boast or hold our plans too tightly, God isn’t against planning in general. He wants us to include Him as an integral part of those plans. Even better, let’s be open to and follow His plan.
Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Psalm 127:1a
Yet it can be hard to always know God’s plan. Many of us search, worry, and wish for God to speak to us like He did with Moses and friends. We may not have a literal burning bush in our backyard, but we do have a Bible on our shelf. It’s time to open and follow it. Let’s listen, obey, and find those paths God has for us.
The Antidote for Worry
One path God lead me to in those uncomfortable years was learning about habits. It wasn’t obvious this was His theme. But looking back, understanding and applying habits helped me grow and shaped my plans.
Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. Proverbs 24:27
When we plan and build with God, amazing things happen. We step out of our comfort zones and into what God envisions. Our worry stops and His plan moves forward.
There is value in God-led planning. But the execution of the plans can be where we stumble too. Here’s where power of habits comes in. His plans wipe away worry when applied with habits.
Applying God’s will to our planning and executing it with habits is the antidote to worry.
I’ve experienced the power of habits in my life and am excited to be offering a new online course Creating Habits that Stick!
After a year of regrouping and following God’s plan, teaching courses seems like an evolution of my writing and work at MemoryMinders. Beginning with habits is crucial as it applies to everything we do.
In the course we’ll learn how creating habits can help improve or maintain health, help memory, and most of all assist us in following our God given paths.
Together, I know we can create sticky habits and minimize worry.
God willing.
*Special thanks to my friend Christa who reminded me of these verses about planning and building with God.
For more details on the course Creating Habits that Stick, click here.
As we get older, the Psalm you quote has even more meaning. I need encouragement to avoid worry. Thanks for yours.
Thanks Laurie-worry can overwhelm can’t it, especially as we age. I’m happy the verse and post encouraged you!
Losing loved ones too soon really amped up my worrying tendencies too. Once we know that bad things can and do happen, it can trip up the mind to imagine all kinds of future bad scenarios. But God…once I remember to keep him in the picture, it helps settle my mind. I love your message to apply God’s will to our planning and execution as an antidote to worry.
Thanks Lisa-But God is a great way to think of things when worry threatens to overwhelm!
I just wrote about this last night for Five Minute Friday, but I like your post better :). You articulated what I wanted to say. Planning is good–it keeps us from drifting aimlessly–but we need to make our plans WITH God, not just FOR God or WITHOUT God.
Amen Anita and thanks for your thoughts-I agree!
That is a priceless quote by Tauren Wells! And Jill, your habits course sounds wonderful! May the Lord bless it and use it to help many!
Thanks Betsy-yes I loved that quote too! So true and thanks again!