Worry is part of what we do. It’s become a part of our culture. It’s what humans do. I bet you hear people use the word “worry” at least 10 times a day. I bet there is someone reading this right now who has already used the word or will have used it by the day’s end. Who me, worry?
My Cup Runneth Over
There are hundreds of things for us to worry about. Let me make my list:
- my job and being able to provide;
- my kids, their safety, and doing well;
- my sisters and how they are doing;
- my wife and is she happy and satisfied in life and in our relationship;
- my friends (and with each individual one I could list many worries);
- today, tomorrow, down the road with what will be
- My extended family and do they know how much I care and love them
- someone I may have hurt and am too clueless to even know it
- how much I might be missing it in my walk with Christ
- is this post today what God even wants me to focus on
Okay, I think you get the point. My cup runneth over! And your cup (of worry), does it runneth over? Maybe it doesn’t have to!
Matthew 6:34 ESV
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Our Every Day Walk With Christ Runneth Over
Let’s put this in perspective. Worrying is a lack of trust. And maybe it is even a lack of knowledge. Because if we had the knowledge of who Christ really is we would truly know that there is no reason to worry.
Do I worry about my wife Carmen? Absolutely not. Why? Because I trust her. I walk with her every day. I know her heart. And I know her strengths. I know what she can do and how she does it. I don’t even have to understand everything about her, but I trust her because she loves me!
If You Don’t Worry About Them Then You Don’t Really Love Them
“But Scott, don’t you worry about Carmen’s safety when she’s out driving around? You know there are crazy drivers out there! And if you don’t worry about her do you really love her?”
Yes? And worrying is going to keep crazy drivers off the road? NOPE! But I can trust God for her protection. I can ask God to release His angels and give them charge over her. So I choose not to worry. I trust God.
Am I fully there? I will be honest and say no, I am not. Sometimes I have to turn things over to Him several times.
To Not Worry = Freedom
To not worry means you are not stressed, you are not anxious, and you are not preoccupied. When you are not worried, it sure frees up a lot of your time and energy and allows you to better focus…and to be better relaxed.
Proverbs 12:25a ESV
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down
Do you know what the new testament Sabbath is? It’s not just a day of rest, or a time of focus on God the Father, His son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit on your one day a week. It’s to rest in (trust in, rely on, and faith in) Jesus Christ every day. When we put our focus on Him daily, we can rest in Him. So our Sabbath is literally every day of the week! Wow, how awesome is that?
John 14:1 ESV
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
So why worry? Just give up, and see what you can gain by giving it over to Him.
I Peter 5:7 ESV
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Check out Laura Story’s song, I Give Up.
Challenge of The Week
Rest in Him. What is your worry? Rest in Him. Every day, rest in Him. Let Him be your Sabbath. Rest in Him. Rest in Him every day. So be it.
Other Posts related to Worry
- Podcast with Scot Longyear – Anxiety, Fear, and Worry
- Podcast with Karen Spangler – A Baby’s Life in the Balance
- The Ruins
