What Worry Is A CLEAR SIgn of…
Last week we talked about yada—truly knowing God, not just knowing about Him. That intimate knowing is the very center of our purpose: to know God and make Him known.
But here’s a clear sign you’re drifting out of that purpose: worry.
We are NOT created to worry.
We literally can’t handle it.
Matthew 6:27
"Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"
Jesus points out worry is powerless. In fact it is power-depleting. It doesn’t lengthen your life, but we know from modern science it can shorten it.
Jesus made it simple in John 14:1:
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me."
Notice those words: do not let.
It’s both a comfort and a command. Jesus didn’t say, “Try not to worry.”
He said, “Don’t let it happen.”
“Let” means you are participatory in its occurrence. That means there IS a way to NOT worry.
Right before He would be arrested, beaten, and crucified, He gave His disciples this directive. If anyone had “a reason” to worry, it was the disciples. Yet His instruction was peace and trust.
So what do we do when circumstances feel chaotic, when answers don’t come, when the human part of you wants to give up?
You lean into your identity as a child of God.
And because I love a good acronym, let’s use the word BRAT—because God’s kids are supposed to run to Him when worry knocks.
B – Boast in your weakness
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
Stop trying to hold it all together. Lay it down. Tell God you can’t do it in your strength and watch His strength take over.
R – Refuse to worry
Worry is disobedience, plain and simple. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to be anxious about anything but to pray about everything with thanksgiving. And the result? The peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ. (Couldn’t you use a little peace right now?)
A – Approach His throne boldly
Hebrews 4:16 reminds us to come confidently before God’s throne of grace. The word for confidence in the Greek here means frankness, bluntness. Don’t hold back. He delights when His kids run to Him first.
T – Tenacious Thanksgiving
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 says to pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances. Not just when things are easy, but especially when they’re hard. Tenacious thanksgiving is stubborn, resilient gratitude—choosing to thank God in the storm because you trust Him to bring you through it.
Worrying is normal. Be a rebel and refuse to do so!
I know it’s easier said than done. But this practice is like a muscle, it will get stronger and easier as you keep retraining your mind to focus on God's promises rather than the wave of circumstances coming at you.
Friend, when you feel worry rising, that’s your cue: you’re stepping out of purpose.
Your purpose is to know God and make Him known and that starts with trusting Him enough to refuse worry and choose worship instead.
So the next time trouble tries to take over your heart, remember: God’s kids know how to be a little BRAT about it. 😉
What’s one burden you’ve been carrying that you need to hand over to God today?
In passionate purpose,
Dorothy
Worry tries to drag you out of your purpose. But God has already equipped you to live on purpose, even in the middle of chaos.
I created a free 5-day devotional to help you uncover that purpose with confidence.
➡️ Get your copy here: 5 Days to Igniting More Passionate Purpose.