The Worry Room vs. The “War Room”

by Brenda McGraw @BrendaMMcGraw

When we worry, we whine. We whine about our finances, job, children and spouse. Then there is the worry that goes with aging parents who need us to assist them to the doctor or with household problems, or maybe they even live with us. What about the loved ones who are away serving our country, and we don’t even know where they are? We worry.

I have never had a nineteen-year-old son go into the military and leave the country, but many have, and I can’t imagine the worry that accompanies the fear of the unknown. 

Reasons for worry are everywhere. We wake up to daily concerns and go to bed with them every night. When we worry—and I venture to say we have all done this—we enter an area that, as believers, God has told us not to. He plainly says, “Do not worry.” 

It is easier to say, “Let go and let God” than it actually is to do it, especially when we are saying it to someone else.

There is a room in our hearts I call the “Worry Room.” It’s full of the problems and concerns that cause us pain and anxiety. Many times we hang out in this room and start having our own little pity party. We like to include others and we bring the “whine” to make sure they empathize and suffer with us. Misery loves company.

There is another room, however, that we can visit with better effect and it is called the “War Room.”

My husband and I were invited to attend the premiere of the new movie, War Room this past week. It opens on August 28, 2015 and is from the creators of Fireproof and Courageous. The film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, T.C. Stallings, Beth Moore and Karen Abercrombie, and its theme is, “Prayer is a powerful weapon.”

As Christians, we pray. But do we pray enough? I know I don’t.

After watching this movie, I had a much deeper desire to find a room in my home to “do war” in, on my knees. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the enemy.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:12-13

If we want to win the war instead of whining about the worry, we can empty out the “Worry Room” in our heart while also preparing the “War Room” in our home for prayer.

I am grateful for all the brave men and women who have served and are still serving our country. I hope we will all remember to pray for them as we celebrate Memorial Day this weekend.

And instead of worrying about their safety, or any of the concerns and problems we regularly fret about, why don’t we find a room or prayer closet in our home, open God’s word, get on our knees and pray? When we think we have prayed all we possibly can, we need to pray more.

 If we pray as much as we worry, we will trust more than we stress.

Brenda McGraw is an author and speaker who reveals how to discover joy beyond the clutter of life. She draws from her own life experiences in the #1 Amazon Best seller, “Joy Beyond, 28 Days to Finding Joy Beyond the Clutter of Life”. She is the founder of Ask God Today Ministries where she has a team of writers sharing truth and hope with others.

Brenda currently lives in South Carolina with her husband, Jeff and three of their five children. She is a survivor of breast cancer and a heart attack.. Despite the challenges she has endured, Brenda found peace through her relationship with Jesus Christ.

You can connect with Brenda at:

Website - http://www.askgodtoday.com

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Brenda-McGraw/e/B00GOIE7AG

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BrendaMMcGraw