What kind of a car passenger are you? I am often the passenger these days and I have nothing to worry about. My wife is a very safe driver with almost a perfect 45 year driving record. And yet not being in control (or thinking I am), I find my foot sometimes seems to press to the passenger side floorboard when we draw close to a car in front of us or come to a stop a little too quickly. I don’t want to admit it, but it is a form of worry.

Worry is an unproductive type of stress. At best, unproductive stress dampens the spirit of joy that God offers; at worst, it shortens our lives. I wonder how many seconds or minutes of life are given up to fretting uselessly about small things: Will I be able to get to the store, will the store have any bread left, will I get home in time? And of course, the famous, “What if?” and “what will others think?” The list goes on and on, doesn’t it?

Author Sarah Young comments that “worry is a form of rebellion.” By worrying, we rebel against our trust in own ability, our trust in others, and our trust in God.

The opposite of worry is assurance. And assurance is built on trust. We trust in ourselves, our abilities, our circumstances, our finances, our health, our God. (Hint: One of these is always trustworthy.) When you worry, what (or who) are you not trusting? Family, friends, and coworkers, God? I think we all realize how fleeting some of these are. Having lived a very healthy life, I would never have guessed I would be suddenly diagnosed with Leukemia. Health, work, finances, even daily relationships are suddenly and significantly affected. Some in this situation, or similar, have come to a point where it seemed pointless to trust God.

But faith brings hope and light to a dark world. Faith is the assurance of a good outcome even in a bad situation. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “A little faith will bring your soul to heaven. A great faith will bring heaven to your soul.”

Here’s to putting down worry and picking up peace and assurance!

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Isaiah 32:17

“My grace is sufficient for you.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9