How to Give God Your Concerns

During a recent quiet time with the Lord, I sensed Him nudge me to set aside my Bible and kneel in His presence with no agenda other than to hear His voice. I’ve walked with Him long enough to know that obedience is the only option when He speaks so definitively.

I waited in worship for a few minutes, and then I heard the Spirit say, “Exhale.”

I inhaled slow and deep, and exhaled. Then I heard a more specific command: “Exhale your worries about your daughter’s health.”

Deep inhale. Exhale.

“Exhale your angst about meeting your book deadline.”

Deep inhale. Exhale.

“Exhale your concern for your son-in-law, daughter, and grandbabies while he works in a hospital ICU in a COVID hotspot community.”

Deep inhale. Exhale.

One concern after another came to mind without my doing a mental search for them. I wasn’t even aware that I’d picked up so worry-weight until it began falling away. With every exhale, I felt lighter and more free.

I left my little private space that morning with a renewed appreciation for Jesus’ invitation:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

It’s easy for us to pick up worry-weight that God never intends for us to carry, and sometimes we do it without realizing.

We feel disheartened but don’t know why. We might begin to feel as though prayer doesn’t do any good anyway, so why bother? We might begin to think that God doesn’t really care about what’s happening in the world at large or in our personal world. He’s left us alone to figure out how to deal with the difficult stuff.

My friend, take a moment to thank Jesus for His invitation to give rest to the weary and burdened. Accept that invitation. Come into His presence quietly and with no agenda. Wait in worship, and listen for His voice.

What concerns does God bring to mind?

One by one, inhale deeply and then exhale. Give them to Jesus and leave feeling lighter and free.

No doubt your reasons for angst will return to mind and try to take up residence again in a few hours or days. When they do, refuse to pick them up. Exhale, and thank Jesus for the rest He gives and the relief He brings when He carries the burden on your behalf.