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“Give your concerns to God—then don’t take them back.”

A thought by Craig Groeschel from his book, Dare to Drop the Pose (p. 118). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

What do you do with your concerns?  What do you do with your worries?

Craig says, “If anyone had reason to worry, it was the apostle Paul. Yet from a Roman prison, awaiting his possible execution, he penned these words: ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:6–7).”

Craig then says, “In other words, Pray about everything. Worry about nothing. Whatever’s on your mind is also on God’s heart. Take it to Him. Then leave it with Him. He cares. He’s your Father—a Father like no other on earth.”

He continues, “Pray about your upcoming test. Pray for your presentation at work. Pray about what to say on your first date. Pray about your granddaughter’s sick hamster. Or pray about finding your lost keys. (I pray that at least twice a week.) Pray about everything and worry about nothing.

“Are you living with worry? Does it dominate your life? Consume your waking hours? Steal your sleep? I’ve lived most of my life like that—but God is setting me free.”

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Craig goes on, “One day I went to the gym with my workout partner, John. We were doing chest exercises. On our final rounds, we did a burnout session. That’s when you completely exhaust the muscles by doing as many repetitions as humanly possible. John was spotting me on the bench press as I dropped a rather lightweight on and off my chest. For a minute or so the weight seemed … well, weightless. Then my oxygen-deprived muscles started to labor, and the weight felt heavier and heavier.

“John urged me on. ‘IT’S ALL YOU! IT’S ALL YOU!’ He started supporting the weight for me.

“‘IT’S ALL YOU! IT’S ALL YOU!’ he shouted, taking more of the weight as I weakened.

“Finally, I gave up completely and let go of the bar, but John didn’t notice. He kept lifting the weight off my chest and lowering it again, shouting the whole time, ‘IT’S ALL YOU! IT’S ALL YOU!’

“Then he realized what he was doing. We both cracked up laughing. John was carrying the whole burden of the bar and weight, but only after I let go. What weight in your life feels like it’s ‘all you’? Take a break. You can rest once you realize that it’s all God.”

Earlier he said, “If you can do something about your worries, by all means, do, and do it in God’s wisdom and power… However, if your worry is completely out of your control … Stop playing the what-if game. Learn and think about God’s promises. Give your concerns to God—then don’t take them back.”

So, would you give him that worry that you feel is all on you?  And would you not take it back?

Yes, yes! 
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