By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/19/20

Typically, when we hear the word sin, our minds rush to thoughts of transgressions that to us seem huge: murder, adultery, stealing, homosexuality, and more. While some of these sins do have far-reaching consequences, none of them put people beyond the reach of God. No one is beyond His ability to forgive and to restore.

The Truth is that many Christians have different categories for varying sins. They have a category for “really big” sins and one for “not so big” sins. They believe the “really big” sins are the ones that receive the most punishment, while the “not so big” sins are the ones everyone commits. These also are the ones we mistakenly believe God overlooks.

But this is not how God operates. There are sins that are horrendous and that can impact our lives with great force and sorrow. However, the sins we view as being “smaller” and therefore easily dismiss can also have devastating effects on our lives.

Few people view worry and anxiety as sin, but they are. They stem from a lack of faith in God. Worry and doubt have at their root fear—a lack of trust in our sovereign, loving Lord—which is a favorite tool used by the enemy to set up strongholds in the life of the believer.

Therefore, instead of becoming anxious or fearful, we need to turn to the Lord and seek His provision for our lives on a daily basis. Be determined to trust Him to lead you through every difficulty, knowing that wherever He guides you, you will find blessing and hope. Put your faith in God, and you will know the joy of a victorious life.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my worry and anxiety. Thank You for Your love and care for me. May I rest in You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:1-2).