Saturday, February 7, 2026

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: LIVING WITHOUT WORRY   

THEME SCRIPTURE: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” — Mark 1:35 (NIV)

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. Is it possible to live without worrying?

Anxiety feels normal now. If you aren’t stressed, people wonder what you’re missing. Yet the Gospels never show Jesus driven by worry. He faced crowds, conflict, fatigue, misunderstanding— and still moved with clarity and peace. That wasn’t denial; it was discipline. Jesus drew from resources we often neglect. What are these resources?

First, Jesus often retreated. Again and again, Jesus stepped away to pray (Luke 5:16).

Withdrawal wasn’t weakness; it was alignment. Solitude kept him anchored in the Father’s will. Augustine famously prayed, “You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” We become restless or stressed when our hearts are not at rest. And restlessness is not solved by more effort, but by ordered attention— returning to God.

Second, Jesus refused to be ruled by expectations.

Jesus disappointed nearly everyone who had expectations for Him to fulfil: religious leaders, political dreamers, even family (Mark 3:21, 31–35). Yet he did not react or reshape his mission to meet their demands. He ate with the poor, the sinner, and showed compassion to those society deemed unfit to live. Jesus consistently confessed, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me and to finish His work."* (John 4:34) Beloved, if you know who has sent you, and whose assignment you're about, opinions of men automatically lose their power to wound.

Third, Jesus listened selectively. Scripture values wise counsel (Prov. 15:22), but Jesus filtered voices through obedience to the Father (John 5:19).

Beloved, some counsel clarifies; some only multiplies fear. Scripture admonishes us, therefore, to be careful how we hear (Luke 8:18). In the midst of many counsels, don't worry. Rather, learn to be quiet. Quiet is not empty— it’s discerning.

Key Takeaway

Precious one, worry loosens its grip when you retreat to God, anchor your identity in obedience to Him alone, and refuse to live by borrowed expectations.

Worry grows when we stay constantly exposed: to noise, expectations, and comparison. Peace grows when we practice retreat, obedience, and restraint. The same resources that shaped Jesus’ life—prayer, solitude, trust—are available to you today. Employ them and live worry-free.

Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING: Mark 1

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. What expectations from others most often trigger your worry?

2. Where can you build an intentional retreat into your week?

3. Which voices help you obey God—and which distract you?

PRAYER

Father, teach me to step back without guilt and listen without fear. Quiet my anxious thoughts and align my desires with your will. I receive Your help to release the weight of expectations I was never meant to carry. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Exodus 13-14; Psalm 37