What Do I Get?
There are conversations I have had with people regarding their life situations and the Christ-like, God honoring response to an issue rather than the typically unfiltered human reaction. The question that usually comes from a conversation like that is "But why would I do that?" Basically, they are having an issue with not being encouraged to just respond the way that they are accustomed. They don't see the benefit in responding in a way that honors God or shows that they are a disciple/follower of Christ. I will say this, if you are a Christ follower then your focus should not be on "why be loving" but on "how can I be loving?"
Ask yourself "how do I serve the Kingdom of God (in terms of serving those who are poor and less fortunate). If you do not, can you? Of course you can. Maybe you truly cannot afford to buy the homeless food, but one thing people need is time. Would you ever spare some time? Can you spend some time once a month with the homeless in a shelter or some sort of function? You can. Maybe not the homeless, what about the elderly? Kids? The sick? The poor? There are all types of people who could use financial help or just some time. What can you do? Something. If you need some encouragement, read Proverbs 21:13 and know that when you hear that the poor need help and you answer it benefits you. But do it out of love, not obligation.
What about the problems we have with people? There are ways to respond and ways to not respond. First, think about James 1:19 and remember to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. We might think "But they said 'x-y-z'. I cant let them get away with that. My response is, look at how Jesus responded to the Pharisees. Read through the gospels and examine the responses Jesus had. When he "lost his cool" it was because people were being cheated in the church which was also being used for non church/God things. When it comes to people we have to remember to look at the perspective of not just what is best for us personally, but what benefits others and honors God. In Philippians 2:4 we read "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." In verse 3 Paul writes "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." So when you question "what's in it for me", rethink that and turn it into "how can I honor God?"
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Attacking Worry
Recently, a friend of mine exposed me to the word "ruminate." I had no idea what it meant but as we discussed the word I understood it to simple mean worry. An expanded understanding is to think about something over and over and over again- like chewing gum (I'm chewing gum right now). After a while, chewing gum, while initially enjoyable, becomes annoying. the gum loses flavor and your jaw can become sore. It no longer serves the purpose. That can be the same thing as dealing with an issue and not coming to a conclusion. It can keep you up at night. All the possible ways things could go and there ends up being no conclusion. Let's look at how to deal with that.
It is one thing to try to figure out a problem, but it is another to just worry about it. What does worry do for you? Initially one may think it is doing them some good and they will quote some scientific journal about hwy worry is good. But, is worry Godly? It might show you that you care, but then when does worry stop? What else will you worry about? Worry creates anxiety for you to the point where you may need to think about something else or do something else in order to stop worrying. Proverbs 12:25 tells us that anxiety weighs a person's heart down. Good words and words of encouragement make them glad. When you see yourself worrying, change your mind. Do something else. Give your nerves a break.
When you worry, I give you a new challenge, seek God's direction. Jesus wants to give us peace and does not want our hearts troubled (John 14:27). God will guide you if you ask Him (Psalm 32:8). God will give you wisdom, if you ask Him (Luke 21:15). We have to be humble enough (Proverbs 22:4) to even want to seek Him. We think we can figure it out on our own and think that we are actually tuned in to God, but we are just trying to figure it out ourselves. We need to unite with the Lord and seek his will for our life in all aspects, not just the one's we choose.
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How Strong Are You?
How strong are you? I don't mean physically, but emotionally. How much can you endure? How much can you handle? How strong are you spiritually? In class last night, we discussed forgiveness and it made me think of how people will forgive an egregious sin or wrong doing done to them and people may say to them "You're so strong" and "I could never forgive that." But, it makes me think, is it really us individuals who are so strong and so awesome, or is it God working through us to make us and shape us to be who we become?
Pride makes us believe that we are so awesome and can do anything on our own apart from God. But that will make us stumble (Proverbs 16:18). That could be working through forgiveness, powering through a project, or anything. People apart from the Lord will say it is all you and you can do anything. But, for those of us that have accepted Christ and seek God's will in their life over anything else, we know that apart from God we can do nothing (John 15:5). Do you want a healthier marriage and stronger bond? Use God's strength! Do you want to forgive who hurt you? Use God's strength! Admit that you cannot do it on your own as the false prophets would say and preach. We have to stay connected to the true vine which is Christ and through him we are connected to God in order to live, think and operate in honor of God.
If we need an example of looking to strength that is beyond humanly possible, look at the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Jesus tells a parable of a father who gives one of his two sons the inheritance/property that was entitled to him. He wanted it before the time he was to have. The father gave it to the son who then squandered it, realized his mistake and had to return home starving and humbled. The father gladly accepted the son back into his arms and was joyful to see his son alive. He treated him well when he returned and did not shame him, but loved him. This is not a man who was operating out of his own power. This is a father who was infused with the Holy Spirit to forgive and not hold a grudge. He was happy to see his child alive. And that is how God sees us. He wants us to see that we need Him and can do nothing apart from Him. We walk away from God when we let our pride control our emotions. The strength it takes to overlook the wrong someone has done takes God strength, not our own apart from Him.
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Why We Need God Time
Life is busy. There is so much to do everyday. You have to get to school
or wake up the kids and take them to school before work. One your day
gets started it is so hard to get refocused and spend time with God or even think about what God wants from you since you have been in 5th gear since you woke up. We need God time. It helps keep us focused on what God wants from us which should be (if you are a Christ follower) your number 1 priority.
Try this for a week: make time with God, first. Right when you wake up take 5 minutes to pray and read some scripture. or read the scripture and pray while you are showering. Make that happen. Devotionals
can be good, but if you go to those over reading the scripture as a
whole, the author of that devotional can become your new god, so to
speak. God's word provides direction as we see in James 1:5 that tells us to ask God for wisdom as He gives it to us generously. Go directly to God, not some other source like tarot cards and palm reading. That is not of God. Mediums are not of God. Seek God's direction.
We should seek God's peace in our lives. We need reminders that God wants our lives to be peaceful and that there is peace in Him. We don't need external things and drugs for God's peace. It is free and no one can charge you a dime for it. Look at Psalm 85:8 that tells us that David was seeking to heard what God would say knowing that God will speak peace to His people and not lead them into folly.
We also need understanding. We can try and function on our own and seek what we think is the best way, but since we didn't talk to God, how good can that way really be? We can look at Proverbs 21:2 and see the same thing said there that people think they know which way is right but God looks at the heart. God knows why we do what we do. We just need to seek His way so we know what to do and when to do it.
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It Cannot Be Unsaid or Unheard
I remember being in a men's group at Saddleback Church a couple of years ago and discussing how saying mean or hurtful things is just like squeezing toothpaste out of a tube. Once it comes out, it cannot go back in. The damage has already begun to take place. "I'm sorry" doesn't take the words back or make it so it never even happened. Another way to think about this too is what we type/text to people. Once they have read it, it cannot be unread. The eyes have already taken those words in. We need to be more mindful of what we say to people (and type) so that our words are coming from a place of love and not from anger that could lead us to regret them later.
If you have read through Proverbs, you have seen a ton of verses that could easily be used as daily reminders for self control. One of those verses is Proverbs 12:18. It compares our words to swords which cut deeply and or tongues (if used by the wise) as a source that can bring healing. Do we really want to be known as the type of person who uses harsh and rash words that just cut at people all the time? Or would you rather be known as someone who is looked at as one who brings healing with their words? I would rather be the latter rather than the former as I seek to do what is pleasing to God, not people. It might be very easy to do what others expect or would do in your shoes, but they don't have to deal with the consequences of your words, but you do. So instead of doing what you may feel pressured to do by people and expected social norms, do what you feel led to do by God.
And sometimes we can get caught up and say that we are just being honest or just speaking the truth. But, is the truth and honesty rooted in helping someone with love that builds them up? In Ephesians 4:29 we are given a reminder to not give into any unwholesome talk and let what comes out of our mouths be what builds others up. What we say needs to be helpful. Not helpful for doing what we want them to do, but what God would want them to do. It also needs to be for their benefit and for those who hear it.
In Psalm 19:14 we look at the source from where our words should come. As stated previously is it what is it just that it is socially normal to speak that way or does it need to come from God's will. The focus of the verse is on the words and the heart being acceptable to God. He is where we look for our guidance as to what we should be saying and what we let come out from our hearts. Once it is said it cannot be unsaid, so make sure before you say it that it is pleasing to God.
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Facing Temptation
It's tough out there. Temptation is around every corner. You could just be driving to work and listening to the radio and a song could come on and tempt you to do something that is not easy for you to resist. It happens to me, often. It may not be a song, it might be music, a TV show or a movie. Sometimes it is a just a random thought that pops in my head. Just a thought.What I do with that thought is whether I win the battle over the temptation or I lose. The choice is in my control.
In Proverbs 25:28 it says "A man without self control is like a city broken into and left without walls." To me, that is deep. Imagine that the United States of America had literally no defenses set up. No aircraft carriers in the Pacific or Atlantic Ocean. No Army. No Navy. No Marines. No Air Force. Nothing. NOTHING!!! Do you know how easy it would be for another country to invade us everyday? Well, thankfully we are protected. The government set up years ago (as many governments do) a system of what to do if an invasion attempt was made. They set up defenses far in advance rather than wait until an attack comes. Well, shouldn't we do the same? Our minds must be protected. Our minds must be focused on what is godly. Even if it feels right and natural to us, it doesn't mean that it is (Proverbs 14:12). Check your beliefs against what Scripture says about it. Far in advance, focus on bible verses like the ones highlighted in this paragraph, or check out Romans 6. It outlines how we as Christ followers should be thinking even when in the face of sin and ways that we behaved before we believed in Christ.
Sin pulls us away from God. That plays into what Satan wants. He is not God's friend, but God's enemy. So when it is tempting to cut down someone and curse them out, that plays into Satan's plans for your life. When you are tempted to watch an adult film, or harm your body with drugs, or eat poorly or whatever it is, that pulls you away from being in God's will. What does a life look like when you are out of God's will? Problems, problems and more problems. Relational problems with family and friends. Extreme amounts of stress in trying to deal with everything that is going on. Those things that we did before we were believers need to be dead such as idolatry like your possessions, lust, covetousness, etc (Colossians 3:5-6).
To arm our selves with the army, navy, marines and air force of our spirit and mind, we need to put on the full Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). Focusing our minds on what is of God and what is pleasing to Him. We also need to be careful of who we are hanging pout with, I recently reread Proverbs 1:10 which reminded me of a life change I had almost 20 years ago when I was hanging with the wrong crowd. I was hanging with sinners who did not know God and were enticing me to do wrong and I fell for a long time. It took me to be in my 30's before I realized I needed to break away from certain types of people. As I grow in my faith I need to be around those who are Holy Spirit minded and filled and led.
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The Storm and Shipwreck
While traveling at sea, a stormy wind called a northeaster struck the ship. They could not fight it and had to let it control them. Fear struck the men aboard as they thought they would run aground (crash) so they began to get rid of cargo one day. The next day they started to get rid of the ship's tackle. Many days passed and the storm persisted and the storm did not let up and they lost hope in being saved (Acts 27:13-20).
In verse 21-26 Paul assures them that he has faith in the Lord as God has saved him from before in regard to being killed and imprisoned and being able to state his case before Caesar. In verses 30-32, some men wanted to jump ship but Paul let them know that if they did, they would not be saved and the men due to their trust in Paul cut away the small boat attached to the ship for just such situations. Paul continues to encourage the men and gather them together to eat. All in all there were 276 people and after they ate that lightened the ship as the threw the remains overboard. They eventually shipwrecked, but all men were saved just as Paul had stated in the Holy Spirit.
Overall, this all reminds me of Proverbs 3:5. The men did not want to trust in God or even speak to God, they just reacted to what seemed natural. Just because it seems like the best option, without consulting God, then it may not be an option for you at all. If those men had taken a small boat instead of a large ship that fit 276 people on it, then what good would a small boat be in that storm. When in fear, look to God. Ask Him for direction. Ask Him to lead. We can lean on our own feelings and make decisions, but it is not always the best way.
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When You Get Angry
When was the last time you were angry? I don't mean angry that your favorite show got cancelled or your favorite team lost, but angry to the point where you could not sleep. Do you have your answer? Now, I ask you what did you do with that anger? Did you just ignore it like it didn't exist or did you let it explode? Please don't tell me that you went to social media to complain about things that you just need to deal with. But there are much more productive things to do with anger and knowing how to handle it than just ignoring it or letting it consume you. Do you agree?
As we read through Proverbs (which is a great start if you have never read through the Bible), I come across Proverbs 29:11 which let us know that giving full vent to your anger is foolish. It also informs us that self control is what the wise people do. That means when you are angry, don't go punch someone. That means do not go yelling at them. There are time we are angry about how we perceive someone's words rather than what they really mean. I have been guilty of that before and had arguments with people about what they said and how I perceived what they said without actually having a conversation about it. What we need to do is focus on what would actually anger God and seek to be surrounded by the Holy Spirit and walking with the Holy Spirit (more on that later).
We also need to deal with the anger in that moment. I know from personal experience that if I do not deal with that anger, it will stew. That is when the devil take a hold of my thoughts and pulls them away from the Holy Spirit. Then I will keep replaying what was said or done and start trying to connect things and maybe even add an attitude of righteousness on the other person. That is letting bitterness grow. How many times do we get mad at someone and then completely ignore them based on what happened? Deal with the problem. Ephesians 4:26-27 tells us that we can be angry, but in that anger do not sin. We cannot let the sun go down on our anger. I mean truly, how often do you get mad at someone and talk about it the next day and settle it? I would be willing to assume that not many people confront and deal with issues in the moment. They walk away mad...and got to the passive aggressive Facebook post. Let's stop Facebooking and start facing the problems with the use of the Book (Bible)!!
And when we do respond, do we respond with gentleness, or do we respond with yelling, sarcasm or undercutting people with insults? It is interesting that when we get angry, we throw the ways of Christ (like being loving at all times) out of the window. Then we run those ways over with our car. C'mon people!! Let's start responding in love for others and know that whether we know someone well or not at all, our words reflect our heart and have an impact on other. Respond in love and not in wrath (Proverbs 15:1).
Whether it is anger or sadness or lust and knowing how to deal with these feeling and thoughts when they arise, we must rely on the Holy Spirit. That is God's will for our lives has to be our will. If it is not, then one cannot expect the Holy Spirit to guide them if they have not sought that guidance in the first place. Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6). He is the only way to the Father, not one of the ways, THE WAY. He tells us in John 14:26 that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. If you are not with the Holy Spirit and you keep having the same problems, then the answer is pretty clear on what needs to happen in your life in order for you to deal with the problems as they arise. Follow Christ and the Holy Spirit will guide you.
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Just Because You Can....
I'm sure you have heard of that saying "just because you can, doesn't mean you should." We can apply that saying to so many different areas of our life, but there is one area it needs to apply to. It needs to apply to our walk with Christ. In Christ we have freedom from condemnation and from the death of sin (death in connection to God), but that does not mean that just because we can seek forgiveness we should just go and sin anyway? I was confronted a couple of different times by an atheist and by an agnostic and they both said that since I can be forgiven by God, I should just go an sin intentionally or else I am wasting what Christ did on the cross. Wow. Seriously? What a ridiculous statement.
First,
I needed new people to hang out with. I needed new people to hang out
with and as a Christ follower, I needed to be around other Christ
following men. That didn't mean that I no longer spoke to those guys,
but I need men in my corner who also follow Christ. If we look at
Proverbs (great book) but specifically the wisdom contained within
Proverbs
13:20, then we see we need to be around those who are wise. Not
so much worldly wise, but also wise in the Holy Spirit so that he can
assist me in my growth and I can assist him as well. If I am attacked
by a man (or sin in this case) a brother in Christ can help me up if
I fall and stand with me as we fight with the Holy Spirit against
Satan's temptations (Ecclesiastes
4:12).
Man
understands things a certain way and outside of the Holy Spirit they
will not know what God has for them in life. Proverbs
14:12
tells us people think a certain way and think it is okay, yet they
have no idea that death is inevitable in that way. Maybe you are so
accustomed to being isolated. In isolation, no one can keep you
accountable about the sinful ways that you succumb to. No one can
love you in isolation. No one can hold you in isolation. While
isolation may seem like it is "drama free" it is also void
of love, accountability and growth. Just because it seems okay for
you doesn't mean that God wants that for you.
A
common thing I see is people who control others. They are always
taking charge and always the boss. If they don't get their way they
become the take my ball and go home type or the "it's my way or
the highway." Not everyone, but there are those that feel like
they should control what is going on. Why? It seems right to do so,
but why? Is it a lack of faith in others to do their part? Is it to
hard to trust others? Or maybe the faith that God isn't going to
provide you with what you need? If we read the word we know that God
provides for those doing His will (Philippians
4:19). It doesn't mean life will be perfect. There will be some
bumps. That's life. But just because you are comfortable controlling
everything doesn't mean that is how it needs to be or even what God
wants from you. If you aren't asking for His guidance before and
during a task, then that is part of the problem (Psalm
32:8). You need to submit to God's will and let Him show you what
it is that needs to be done. Not just on the surface, but also on the
inside of you. Your spirit is important and it needs to be in
conjunction with God's will.
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Giving Thanks to God and Loving Family
As we get ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow let us not forget what is really important. It isn't about the food and the fixin's. It isn't about the football games (hard for me to say that one haha). But our focus should be on God first and then the family unity.
As we look at Psalm 100, the title of this chapter is A Psalm for Giving Thanks. The focus is giving thanks to God. The opening 2 verses tell us to make a joyful noise to the Lord and serve Him with gladness. We are to come in God's presence with singing. We are to be singing the Lord's praises. Yes, there are times were God needs to hear from us that we are upset, but are we complaining more to God than we are giving thanks to Him. We overlook what we are thankful about many other days of the year. Can't this be the year the beginning of a time where we let God know that we are thankful to Him for all He has done. Personally, God has done so much in my life from the jobs I have had, the people I have met, the schools I have attended. But, even more so the things I overlook every day. I don't always thank God for the fact that my car works (a huge blessing if you have known me since my first car in 1997). I have forgotten to thank God for where I live. I could have lived in a horrible neighborhood with horrible neighbors and crime, but I don't. When was the last time I thanked God for those simple things? Now is a very good time. And tomorrow. And for years to come.
And when it comes to family, how often do we tell them not just that we love them, but how we appreciate them? Do we come home and complain about work and life problems? Can't we start greeting each other with love and a "holy kiss? (Romans 16:16 and GotQuestions.org)" Let us pray with the family as we should. If we are not praying with the kids and our spouses and significant others, how then are our relationships based in God's word? We need to honor our parents, not just during holidays, but at all times (Exodus 20:12). Fathers need to not provoke their children to anger (Colossians 3:21). Mothers can wisdom and kindness to their children (Proverbs 31:26).
No matter which holiday has arrived let us remember to give thanks to God and let Him lead us as we connect with our families and friends whether it is a holiday or just any old day. Let us love regardless of the day (John 15:12).
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God's Direction is Best for Our Lives
As mush as we think that God's way for our lives is best for us, do we act accordingly? In other words, are you following God's direction in all parts of life, or just certain areas? Maybe you don't steal money, but you don't tithe for the church. Maybe you don't fight people, but you hang on to bitterness with a strong grip. Maybe you go to church all the time, but once you leave your life does not bear any fruit.
The path we walk in life can be directed by our own ways. Our Own ways of thinking direct what we do, but it should be God's. We know Jesus served many and did not only do it on or around holidays, yet we often only serve people on Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are so often focused on ourselves and what we need to do and what are priorities to us than what is a priority to God. In Proverbs 16:25 we read "there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." The way we choose can be disconnected from God which is a spiritual death. Self medicating (drugs and alcohol) for personal problems can lead to physical death.
When we need that direction, where do we go? Where do we turn? We turn to God. We turn to God's word. We don't justify our ways became they are natural or normal for us. That is an excuse to simply say "I want to do it my way." Look at James 1:5 and see that when we lack wisdom we should seek God's wisdom. We don't turn to tarot cards, we turn to God. The Bible is for use for us with no charge. We don't turn to the random person who is not Christ led. We don't turn to new age spirituality. We turn to Jesus and seek his will for us.
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What's On Your Mind?
Have you ever been through a really, really hard time in life? Maybe it was a broken heart from an ex or the death of a loved one. Maybe it was a traumatic experience like a house fire, car accident or some kind of abuse. When we experience these things, does it help us to always talk about them and bring them up over and over again? Or are we doing damage to ourselves, God's children (for those who believe in Him- John 1:12)?
Personally I have been through some of the things I have mentioned and by the grace of God, He put people around me that could help me through those times during and after. But, after it is over says a lot about me. For instance, if I am going to keep referring to and replaying something that hurts me time and time again, I'm probably not going to be a very happy person. I don't know anyone who dwells in hurts that has a joyful demeanor about them. God wants us to be joyful for it is good for the heart (Proverbs 17:22), not be in pain whether it be physical, emotional or otherwise. So how do we get to the point of being more joyful?
We have to give our hurts to God. Have you prayed about how God can use you through it as much as you have talked about how painful it was? Through God there is power to turn the horrible into something wonderful. David and Bathsheba's story in 2 Samuel 11 shows how adultery can end up producing one of the wisest and richest godly men in Solomon. It takes a turning toward God. That takes a choice. The choices others make are not your fault, but what you do with what happens to you is up to you. Proverbs 19:21 tells us that no matter what we think and plan will only stand if it is unison with God's purpose. Deep!
It's one thing to have a hurt and turn that into a lesson to learn from and teach others. But, it is another to keep bringing up something that still brings you pain when you remember it. What good does that do to you? It probably upsets you or brings you to tears. The bad can be used to do good. Isaiah 26:3 tells us to keep our minds on God and what is godly as it bring us peace. Thinking of pain does not bring peace. Seek God's peace and love for you by turning over your hurts to Him.
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Why Are We Arguing?
Have you ever been in an argument? Do you get into arguments on a regular basis? Why even argue? Is it necessary? There is a point when a conversation turns from talking to arguing.
There is a lot of pride that goes into arguments. People want to be heard and understood on one hand and on the other hand, they want you to agree with them. If you don't agree with them then they disrespect your opinion and position even if it is only an opinion. In Proverbs 15:28 we read that the righteous ponder on how to answer questions while the wicked person's mouth just lets things pour out.
Jesus says in Matthew 15:19 that out of the heart comes evil thoughts and slander. There should be a heart check if we are in an argument? Why do you need someone to agree with you so much? Why does it matter what they think or what their view is? It is okay to disagree. Isn't it.
We have to turn away arguments with soft answers and that do not stir up more angry responses. Proverbs 15:1 gives us that insight. Who wants to argue with someone who doesn't want to argue? It is not an argument if the other person is not arguing.
And lastly, in James 1:19, we are taught to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to become angry. If we really take time to listen and even inquire for more information and clarification we might become less angry because we have gotten then answer we needed to understand the other person. When we are slow to speak that means we are still listening and not interrupting someone. And when we are not angry we are less subjected to not being Christ-like in these situations. Being Christ-like is our goal.
source utilized: Bibleinfo.com
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Giving Up Control
This may seem like a topic that I have exhausted or even just touched on last week in Friday Focus #7, but I wanted to share an idea from another perspective that can give more clarification.
Years ago I saw an image, I cannot remember where, that really gave some perspective to how we hang on to things too long. We hang on to the way we used to be. We hang on to relationships that make us feel good. We become co-dependent on the things of this world. We try to control too much. We don't see the beauty that exists when we give our life an d all parts of it to Christ. When we let go of the control and put it into the hands of Jesus as we walk the path that God has laid before us in His will, it changes EVERYTHING. You have NO IDEA what God has in store for us if we would just LET GO.
Proverbs 19:21 tells us that we can make as many plans as we want to, but God's plan will prevail. We may as well give in to His plan any way.
There is strength in giving in to God's will. His will won't fail us. It doesn't mean life will be perfect and we never have problems but you understand that God is teaching you something and letting you be used to teach others. Let go and let God.
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Give it UP!
We have all heard all types of saying that can classify as Christian rhetoric such as "Give It To God" and "Let Go and Let God." But, if you really look at what is deep in the meaning of what those phrases are, is it really rhetoric?
We try to control so much in our lives, but there is so much that we are not in control of. Have you ever tried to control someone? What about trying to control other aspects of life? What about worry? Isn't that what leads us to try to control things and people? We think that something bad will happen and we worry and try to fix it so it doesn't happen. Why are we so worried?
Worry is just a symptom, in my opinion, of not having any faith that God will take care of things. Our worry leads us to actions that we think are fixing things, but really our worries and actions from being worried are not God centered. We aren't taking things to God, we are taking matters into our own hands because we lack faith in God and patience in the process.
God wants us to cast our anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7). He doesn't want us walking around being balls of anxiety with two legs. No! He wants us to be at ease and to release those anxieties, stresses, pressures and worries to Him.
He has a plan for us and we are to not lean on how our own understanding, but trust in Him, acknowledge Him and He will make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
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