Worry vs. Faith

I'll be the first to admit it. I have always lacked self-confidence and worried about things in life. These two things are obviously detrimental in a devastating and desperate situation such as now. Tonight...I opened my Bible begging God for a fresh perspective on His next move for my life and I found this in the side notes:

"Worry is always wrong, for it paralyzes active faith in your life. When you worry, you assume responsibility for things you were never intended to handle. Jesus repeatedly taught: 'Do not worry,' even about the basic essentials of life (Matt. 6:25-34).

Worry divides your mind between useful and hurtful thinking. Worrying does not change anything (Matt. 6:27) except to draw your focus away from God and His faithfulness and
righteousness to concerns about the things of life, such as possessions and material goods
(Matt. 6:31).

Worry is a choking, harmful emotion that saps your energy and elevates human strength and ingenuity above God's strength and His purposeful plan. Sources of worry include change, lack of understanding, and lack of control over your life. Worry opens the door to
worldiness, that is, preoccupation with the things of this life.

Though the children of Israel had watched God split open the Red Sea to deliver them from Egypt, they could not believe He would provide water in the desert to meet their needs. Worry is the opposite of faith, suggesting that God cannot be trusted to take care of you or to provide what you need (Phil. 4:19). Worry causes fear to crowd out faith.

Thus, in the final reckoning, 'the cowardly' are listed alongside the 'unbelieving' (Rev. 21:8). Linking worry with unbelief, Scripture gives direction for a return to full faith. The road from worry to faith begins with recongition that worry is sin and confession of lack of
faith (Ps. 139:23), continues with deliverance (Psalm 34:4), and finally ends with the assurance that absolutely nothing can separate you from the love of God who is the great I AM (Rom. 8:35; Ex. 3:14-15).

In place of anxious thoughts, you then freely offer thanksgiving from a heart established with trust in God as all sufficient (Psalm 112:7-8; Phil. 4:6-7)."

Very wise friends of mine--Tom and Brenda Bailey--who know my situation probably better than almost anyone else, just today shared with me these words spoken by Jesus to His disciples (Mark 6:11): "And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!"

Wow. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). I must remember that I serve El Elyon, God most high...and El Roi, the God who sees all things. He's not been surprised by any of this. Instead, He purposed it for my good and His glory.