Do you know that the things we worry about can become our gods, taking God’s place in our hearts and minds?
What is the one thing you worry most about?
How Things We Worry About Can Become Our Gods
All the things we worry about and fear losing have the potential to become our gods. These can be things like money, career, our health or healing, our families, partner, children, ministry, and the list goes on.
They can become our idols when we keep them at the center of our minds and hearts, making them our top priority and focus.
Worrying about them constantly means we think about them most of the time, letting them occupy a lot of mental and emotional space, which we can devote to our relationship with God.
Besides, constant worrying is a sign that we don’t trust the God of the universe to work all things for His glory. Such an attitude exposes gaps in our faith and connection with the Lord.
All the things we worry about and fear losing have the potential to become our gods. #anxiety #trustGod #mentalhealth Share on XRemember to pin me for later!
My Story of Turning a Good Desire into an Idol
There was a time in my life when worry and fear were dominant. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and suffered from panic attacks.
I wanted one thing so badly, and the impossibility of getting it was driving me crazy. I worried and feared that my deepest desire would not be fulfilled. I feared losing my dream.
The thing I wanted occupied my thoughts, and worrying about it drained my energy. It made me sick.
One day, I realized my desire to become a mother had become my god, ruthlessly controlling my life. It promised fulfillment and happiness, but in reality, I was sad and desperate. My new idol promised to give me what only God could give me, and for a while, I believed this lie.
But my jealous God didn’t leave me there. He exposed the idol and led me faithfully on the path to freedom and peace.
God Is a Jealous God
We need to remember that God is a jealous God. He is not jealous in human terms, of course. His jealousy is a divine quality, a holy attribute. Here are several verses in the Bible about God’s jealousy.
“For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” (Exodus 34:14)
“For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.“ (Deuteronomy 4:24)
“I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” (Isaiah 42:8)
“Therefore, thus says the Lord God: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name. (Ezekiel 39:25)
So the angel who talked with me said to me, ‘Cry out, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion.” (Zachariah 1:14)
What Does God’s Jealousy Mean for Us?
God’s jealousy is tightly related to the issue of belonging.
We belong to Him. We need to realize that we are His, purchased with the blood of His Son, and this gives God the right of exclusivity. He demands exclusive devotion from those He had redeemed.
His jealousy also implies protection and care. Since we belong to Him, God has committed Himself to our well-being now and forever. As a Father watching over His children, He provides, protects, heals, restores, and prepares us for eternity with Him.
His jealousy is a powerful expression of His endless and passionate love, committed to His glory and our well-being, and His desire for intimacy.
Since we belong to Him, God has committed Himself to our well-being now and forever. #trustGod #encouragement Share on X
How to Get Free from Obsessive Worry and Fear
The first thing is to take God’s jealousy seriously. He has devoted Himself fully to us, and He expects and longs for complete devotion.
Next, we can ask Him to examine our hearts and show us the things we worry about the most, and the things we fear we can’t live without. Perhaps some of them have become our gods and have taken His place.
The Lord calls us to let go of our old, familiar ways of worry and place our hope and trust in Him.
He calls us to a new thing, which requires a deeper trust and walking with faith. He wants us to stop worrying, stop fearing the unknown, stop panicking about uncharted land.
When God doesn’t answer and provide immediately, we can lean on Him in prayer and wait for His answer.
“Let’s first seek His kingdom, and He will take care of the rest, giving us everything we need.” (Matthew 6:33)
A Prayer for Re-dedication
Lord, I belong to You. Thank You for Your sacrificial, unconditional, passionate, protective, and possessive love. I admit You are fully devoted to me and my well-being.
Search my heart and show me the things that have taken Your place. I dedicate myself to You. Be the center of my life, my deepest longing, and my strongest desire. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Let God be the center of your life, your deepest longing, and your strongest desire. #trustGod #wellbeing #mentalhealth Share on XOur Anxiety and Pain Can Draw Us Near to God
Do you know we can use our worry, anxiety, and pain to draw near to God? Learn how we can do this in my book, “Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings.”
Let me take you on a journey through 13 painful experiences, showing the precious blessings in each of them.
More Encouragement for You
If you need more resources and encouragement to help you combat worry and fear and focus your mind and heart on the Lord, I can highly recommend these books. Check them out.
Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk
Transforming Your Thought Life by Sarah Geringer
Numbering Our Days: Combating Anxiety in the Power of Small Intentional Moments by Nichole J. Suvar
Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert
Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst
Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley
Restoration Year – a 365-Day Devotional by John Eldredge
The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips
Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer
Lean into Grace by Stacey Pardoe
This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!
Your Turn
What are the things you most worry about? What do you think of God’s jealousy? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this article helpful. Thank you!
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This post really spoke to me. I want to be a wife and mother really badly. I feel happy for others when I find out someone I know is getting married or having a child, but I can’t help but wonder when is it my turn. I’m learning not to put marriage and having children on a pedestal and to be happy with my life right now. Marriage and children may not be in my future but I’m learning to be ok with that. Thankyou for this post.
Thanks for sharing this, Charli! I appreciate your honesty. It is really best not to put marriage and children on a pedestal and to find happiness and satisfaction in your life now, as it is. Sending hugs and prayers!
Thank you for this beautiful post on how things we worry about can become our Gods. I do struggle with this often, and appreciate the helpful ideas to take God’s jealousy seriously and open our hearts to him.
Thanks, Debbie! I am glad the post resonated with you and that you found the ideas helpful. Blessings to you!
Thanks so much for this frank (and vulnerable!) discussion of idolatry. We do need to be on the lookout for when our fears and anxieties take over God’s place in our lives.
Thanks, Crysti! Yes, it is so easy to fall into the trap of obsessive worrying. A good practice is to turn our worries into prayers.
I have fallen into this trap SO many times. You shined new light on this for me today, Hadassah. Thank you for the reminder to resist worry and turn to the Lord!
Thanks, friend! This is a common struggle for so many of us. I am glad the post resonated with you. Blessings and hugs!
Thank you for this helpful post detailing how worries can become our Gods. I appreciate the way you offer ways to pinpoint the problem and also offer steps to turn things around. Your example prayer is especially meaningful. As always, your words are a great addition to the start of my day!
Thanks a lot, Lisa! I am glad you found the post helpful and inspiring, and the guided prayer meaningful! Blessings to you!