For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. – Luke 12:34 [ESV]

What do you treasure? What do you crave more than anything? I can act piously holy and say, “Jesus!” But is that always the case?

Before I continue, and lest anyone out there starts emailing me to call me a hypocrite, please understand – I am preaching to me here. If you are helped or blessed by this, I’m happy! That’s why I write. If not… well, “judge not”.

Seeking God first in all things, at all times, is not always easy. If I need to identify the areas where I need to surrender to the LORD, I follow the anxiety.

What do I mean? Well, the things that cause us worry, fear, anxiety… these emotions are rooted in potential perceived loss.

Loss of health.

Loss of wealth.

Loss of prestige.

Loss of possessions.

Loss of career.

Loss of control.

Aha! There it is. Loss of control.

Here’s the thing: we like to labor under the illusion that we are in control of our destinies. Of our lives. Of anything.

But we self-centered, control freak humans tend to forget what Proverbs tells us all too plain:

Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. – Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)

The plans of the heart belong to man,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
² All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.
³ Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.
⁴ The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
    even the wicked for the day of trouble.
⁵ Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
    be assured, he will not go unpunished.
⁶ By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
⁷ When a man’s ways please the Lord,
    he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
⁸ Better is a little with righteousness
    than great revenues with injustice.
⁹ The heart of man plans his way,
    but the Lord establishes his steps. – Proverbs 16:1-9 [ESV]

Man plans, God laughs. [Courtney Revised Version]

Anxiety is a very good divining rod for finding the well of our priorities. We fear what we think we may lose what we hold dear. We live to avoid pain, discomfort, trouble.

My favorite line: I just want peace.

I believe we receive (not achieve) peace in proportion to the stuff we let go of. When we trust God to take care of us – I mean really and truly rest fully in Him, not just give our “faith” lip service – what could possibly worry us?

What if God has something better for us than what we cling so tight to?

What if God expects us to let go of the illusions of self-rooted control we hold so dear, and free fall straight into His capable,, caring arms?

The answer to both questions is: He does.

If you are afraid of something – anything – you need to let it go. Cast that burden on the LORD for HE cares for YOU. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Ultimately God is sovereign over all. God is love. God is always with His children. Lean into that. Root your thoughts in His Word. Don’t follow your heart. Follow HIS!

Rest in the LORD. Trust in Him. Don’t fear what you see or perceive on your own. Follow Jesus.

With Jesus, you have nothing to dread, nothing to fear.