Do not worry. That's something Jesus pointed out in Matthew 6 when He was talking about trusting God about our daily needs. Today while reading 1 Peter 4, I found that there is an anxious thought that can do us good in our journey in following Christ.
You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. - 1 Peter 4:2
How is this a healthy kind of worry?
It shows that you have finished with sin (v.4) This does not entail reaching a point of total holiness and perfection. It is knowing inside that we are no longer in the bounds of sin. It is a confidence on a declared victory despite the ongoing battle.
You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. 1 Peter 4:3
Unless one is 'finished' with sin, the mind would be wrapped up dealing with recurring thoughts about sin and its consequences. Hence, such mind could not be thinking about doing the will of God.
It shows that you are winning over suffering (v.1). Being anxious in doing the will of God has a mindset of not being bothered by anything else in this world.
On the other hand, suffering (the one that happens not because of sin) has its way of distracting people and be so caught up with it. Therefore, there is much triumph over suffering when one is focused on what matters most.
How do I maintain a mind that is anxious to do the will of God?
Earnest and disciplined prayers (v. 7). Deep and intimate conversations with God provides an avenue where you and I can examine our hearts and actions. Being close to Him in prayer will remind us that His will is paramount in whatever we take on.
I look at my dad and see this great example. His prayer time is consistent and disciplined. However, I can never see him relax when it comes to His relationship with God. He is always mindful whether he is obedient to the will of God.
Reflective love for others (v.8). To love God and people is the center of His will. To remain occupied with doing God's will is to always ask ourselves, "Am I loving enough?"
Lately, I have been asking that to myself more often than I used to. If I would argue my own mind, I'd tell, "I do work with orphans! If I am not loving, then what is this?" but that thought never came to me. Instead, I saw how weak my love for others was. You and I can always improve on loving others.
Use your gifts to serve (v.10). Spiritual gifts just like our love for others and prayer can ALWAYS be improved over time. When gifts are left unused, a complacent mind kicks in. Unstirred lives are exactly what we DON'T need in putting the desire to do the will of God into reality. I believe that even those who we deem as 'using their gifts well' have their fair share of yearning to use them even more.
All three ways are equally important.
They are done in steps however.
A right relationship with God is the only way we can truly be loving towards others.
As our love for others grow, inevitably we will be using whatever we have to serve.
Not food. Not clothing. Not even the future.
You and I's only concern should be, "AM I DOING THE WILL OF GOD?"
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