Trade Worry For Worship

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 285: Today, I am grateful for we can turn worry to worship.

Don't we all need the reminder to check worry and anxiety at the foot of the cross? The best antidote to anxiety I know is worship. 

"Turn your worry into worship and watch God turn your battles into blessings." 

We can thank God for this day of plenty. If we have food to eat and water to drink, we have enough. Moses spent 40 years in the desert trying to get the people to truly grasp this idea. 

40 years. Water, manna and quail provided in desert conditions. Still, they didn't fully trust. I try not to criticize them. I might likely have been one trying to save the manna for the morrow. 

We choose worry. Some of us are more programed than others, but there is choice, too. You can't worship and worry at the same time. Worship is all consuming. There is no room for anything else. Planting our feet in the firm foundation of His Word provides what we need for the journey here. Trusting the in His wings gives our soul flight. 

Every once in awhile, scripture gives us "Don't you know how precious you are?" Here is a great one. Jesus said:

"And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven." - Matthew 10:30-32

Another passage that compliments it comes from Nehemiah. For Israel, it is in a season of true repentance and reconciliation with God. The people are told to celebrate God's faithfulness and forgiveness. "Stop weeping. God knows you are sorry. Now, celebrate and be joyful in your forgiveness and God's faithfulness." 

"And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” -Nehemiah 8:10 

The joy of the Lord is your strength. You have to let go of the sorrow, fear and worry to embrace the joy. 

Don't you know how precious you are? I think we all forget. I do.

Watch the birds as they sing, dance and fly, if you need a reminder. They do the work of gathering food and nest needs, but never forget to sing and hop around in a dance nature designed them to perform. 

We, too, can be free of the frets and the fetters. Sweet freedom.

Today, I am grateful for we can turn worry to worship.