Spiritual Development

There’s no end to the ways things in our world either don’t make sense, or seem out of control. Of course, while they may not make sense to us, and they may be out of our control, which should not cause us to despair. We can turn to Bible verses about worry. God’s ways and thoughts are above our own (Isaiah 55:9), and to Him nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37). We don’t need to worry because God knows the end of things before they even begin (Isaiah 46:10). Worry is when you ruminate or repeatedly think about the same thing in a way that ultimately leaves you feeling anxious and unsettled. Usually, we worry about future events whose outcomes we have a stake in. Sometimes we worry that something we’d like to see happen won’t happen, and at other times we worry that the worst possible outcome will occur. Either way, thoughts about the situation, possible solutions to the problem, and dwelling on the possible negative outcomes are what worry is all about. Worry doesn’t leave you feeling energized or hopeful; instead, it makes you fearful, apprehensive, and distracted. Instead of helping us, worry simply robs us of our sense of joy and rest. Letting God console you: Bible verses about worry If you find yourself feeling worried, one way to deal with it is to allow the Lord to console you. The Bible says a lot about worry, but below are a few verses that can help you. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. – Psalm 94:19, ESV This Psalm addresses a context in which wrongs are being perpetrated by powerful and arrogant people against those who are weak. When the odds are stacked against us this way, it can be overwhelming, [...]

Hebrews 11 is known as the “Heroes of Faith” chapter of the Bible. Throughout history, men have done the impossible by faith. “The just shall live by faith” states Hebrews 10:38 (NKJV), and this chapter proves that faith over fear can conquer any circumstance and overcome worry. What have you found your circumstance to be? Is it the uncertainty of a diagnosis? Is it the lack of a steady income? Is it an unfaithful spouse? Is it an estranged father or mother? Did a child take a path that you did not approve of? Whatever you’re facing, this chapter reminds us that through faith, we can face the impossible. With God’s help and through prayer, we can reach what feels unattainable. True biblical faith is not an emotional “hope so;” it is a real conviction based on the Word of God. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Other versions of this verse use words like “confidence” (NIV), “certainty” (NASB), “reality” (CSB), and “substance” (NKJV) instead of “assurance.” So, when the Holy Spirit gives a man faith through the Word, the very presence of that faith in his heart is all the assurance and evidence he needs to overcome worry. It has been said that faith enables the believing soul to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen. Through faith, men see what others cannot see. When there is true faith in the heart, God bears witness to that heart by His Spirit. By faith, Noah saw coming judgment, Abraham saw a future city, Joseph saw the exodus from Egypt, Moses saw God. By faith they saw the invisible, chose the imperishable, and did the impossible. Faith over fear accomplishes things because there’s power [...]