I spend my days scattering seeds of worry into soil made fertile by the lies I believe. My depression sprouts quick, like weeds that takes over a garden. After all, it was a lie that planted that first weed back in the beginning. And it was that same lie that took deep root, spread and brought death to the world.
It’s when I’m teaching my Sunday School class that God often teaches me. I’m honoring my vow to help train each tender shoot in the truth of God’s Word. I cover one child’s eyes with a scarf, turning him round and round. I ask him to walk forward, and to listen for the voices of his friends as they direct him safely to his destination. When the fun is over, we read from the Sermon on the Mount and talk about worry.
We live life blind, not being able to see beyond the moment in front of us. It requires trust in the love of God, believing that He will guide our next step.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34)
I then do an object lesson with my class. I show them a bottle filled with water that I’ve labeled “trust.” I show them another bottle filled with oil that I’ve labeled “worry.” I pour one into the other and shake it. Just as oil and water do not mix, trust and worry don’t mix either.
When I worry, I am not trusting in the love of God. I have ceased listening for His voice to guide me in darkness. Instead, I listen to the lies that tell me to worry about what’s ahead of me: “I can’t do it.” “What if…” “I’ll never make it, it’s too hard.”
It’s trust in His love that guides me in the darkness. It’s believing that He cares for me much more than He cares for the creation whom He feeds and dresses each day. When I tune my heart to hear His voice, the soil of my heart becomes hostile to the lies that produce offspring of worry, anxiety, and fear. My depression can’t grow without healthy seeds and fertile soil.
Before the kids leave, I hand them each a sheet of paper. At the top is written, “When I am worried, I will count His gifts.” I teach them to count His blessings because remembering His love chokes out worry. As we talk about His gifts, I realize that I have reaped what I have sown. In sowing seeds of worry, I’ve made it easy for depression to take root and grow.
The kids leave to return to their parents, hopefully with greater thanks and less worry in their hearts. I pack up my things and turn out the light to the Sunday School classroom. As I close the door, I thank Him in my heart for the grace that changes hearts from that full of weeds to a beautiful harvest of blessing. And I begin to scatter seeds of thanks for His endless love.
“Worry is the antithesis of trust. You simply cannot do both. They are mutually exclusive.” Elizabeth Elliot
“Satan is ever seeking to inject that poison into our hearts to distrust God’s goodness - especially in connection with his commandments. That is what really lies behind all evil, lusting and disobedience. A discontent with our position and portion, a craving from something which God has wisely held from us. Reject any suggestion that God is unduly severe with you. Resist with the utmost abhorrence anything that causes you to doubt God’s love and his loving kindness toward you. Allow nothing to make you question the Father’s love for his child.” A.W. Pink
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:25-34
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I needed this more than ever. I think I’ll read it a few more times
. Maybe something will sink in. I love your illustrations that make it easy to grasp the concept of trusting in God. Also awesome is the way he works in you as you teach his goodness to others. Love.
Thanks. I needed it too:)
So true and I love the object lessons you used.
It’s challenging to find ideas on how to present a spiritual truth to kids. It’s nice when it teaches me too:)
we are neighbors today… great post…thanks for being vulnerable…I heard the term “future tripping”…going out ahead of God…he spoke to my heart about this…my grace is sufficient for now…I never leave…but when you choose to go out in the future…you go alone…opened to all the assaults of the enemy… you can’t find the grace for the what ifs….but when you live present with me…you live in grace…trust and rest…
Blessings as continue to scatter seeds~
Love it.. future tripping. Will have to remember that in the future
Yes! I agree. I’ll have to remember that one too.
Lovely post, and object lesson that teaches all ages!
Thank you! And thanks for visiting!
A beautiful lesson for me to read. Even though I “know” better, I continue to battle with worry against trust. I believe; Lord, help my unbelief.
Oh yes, so do I. It is a battle. So thankful He does help us in our unbelief.
What a beautiful post…I too teach Sunday school and am often reminded in those elementary moments where my heart and spirit need work. Worry and Fear we KNOW are not of God and yet they creep in when we are not looking…
I LOVE that you give your children a sheet of paper to remind them God’s love chokes out worry…perfect.
Thanks for joining us today! We’re blessed!
Thanks for stopping by! Yes, I learn so much when I prepare to teach. Blessings to you!
“Worry is the antithesis of trust. You simply cannot do both. They are mutually exclusive.” I so needed to read this line today… Thank you for a wonderful post
I like that quote too. Thanks for visiting!
Such a great post.
Thanks! And thanks again for stopping by.
and I am back at the end of this difficult day, because there is more need for me to hear this truth. Yes, I agree with one of the previous comments, thanks for being vulnerable. In that, His light shines brightly.
So sorry for your difficult day. Praying He will give you strength and peace.
Oh how I loved this. Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing with your heart open wide!
All for Him with hugs to you,
Nikki
I always learn so much during my Sunday-school teaching times, too. Often, it’s those wee ones who are the teachers. And I am the student.
Thank you for linking! I appreciate your voice, and your God-centered thinking. Love to you …
Wow what a wonderful reminder of the source of our worry…Good timing…God’s timing as John recovers from surgery. You have such a gift for expressing your faith.
Love, Mom Fox
I will read this post over and over until its finally engrained, trust and worry DO NOT MIX!
Isn’t it funny how God uses the very thing that we struggle with as our point of ministry?? Thanks for being real! This is an area of struggle for me too. I talked a little about it here. It seems so clear when teaching it in Sunday School!
https://blogging-mama.com/ministry/cycle-of-sin/
Thanks for your blog! You truly are doing a mighty work!!