As most of you probably know, this past Sunday I preached a message on worry, based on Matthew 6:25-34 (the audio from that message can be found here). This week, I’ve been thinking more and more about this topic. I’ve heard lots of people comment about this message, and I’ve heard lots of people tell me, “I’m worried about [insert worry here].” I ended the message with a simple, yet powerful idea: “Do everything you can do, and trust God to do what only he can do.” I wish I’d had more time to talk about this specifically on Sunday, but luckily, I have a blog.

This is a two-part solution, each with its own distinct characteristics. Let’s start with part one:

Do everything you can do…

What does that mean? Should I push myself to the absolute limit? In my mind, this means to exhaust every reasonable possibility to remedy a situation. Sometimes, worry and stress tend to pile up on top of us and even simple decisions are extremely difficult to make. In more practical terms, writing things down has always helped me. If I ever feel overloaded with worry or stress, I simply make a list of everything I have going on, and then make a column of possible solutions. If you go through all of these solutions to the best of your ability, and the situation remains bothersome or stressful, you’ve done everything you can do. That’s very important to remember. You’re only human. God, however, is divine. This brings us to part two:

Trust God to do what only he can do.

It’s one thing to say, “I trust God,” but it’s quite another thing to put that trust (or – scary word here – “faith”) into practice. Pray for wisdom and clarity (two things we all need during times of stress) and listen for God’s response. There’s a two-part task in itself. We’re all good at praying, but many of us aren’t that good at listening. Trust me – God answers prayer. Many times we don’t get the answer we want, but the answer is still there. So what can God do? God can give you the wisdom, the clarity, and the courage to do what needs to be done. God can work a miraculous movement in your life. God can literally change your situation with zero effort. Do you believe that? Listen to David:

I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me. – Psalm 142:5-7

When we humbly cry out in desperation for help from God, God hears our cry. We have to remember that God works all things together for good (check out Romans 8:28), and he knows the plans he has for each of us. God’s plan for your life is good – never forget that. In times of worry, don’t let your uncertainty trump your God. The God who raised Jesus from the dead will raise you out of the depths of your worry, and lead you to a bright future.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

So – whether your worry is about your health, your finances, your career, your education, your family, or anything else “under the sun,” your Heavenly Father will provide, according to his plan, which is good. Do everything you can do, and put your faith in God for the rest.