Keeping Worry Out of our Lives

Introduction: What is worry? How does it affect my life and the lives of those around me? Write your definition of worry. Compare it to the definition of others. From the time I was a very young Christian, I remember that the issue of "worry" was given special attention. "It is a sin to worry," I always heard, but I couldn't really understand how people were expected to control their minds and keep from worrying-especially about important things in their lives. I was child and I understood as a child. It's the same concept with Christians. As early Christians, we think as children. As we grow and mature in Christianity, we understand like adult Christians.

Even though our knowledge of Christ like matters increase, we still find it difficult to implement all that knowledge into our everyday lives. Such is the plague of "worry" when we consider how much space we allow it to consume in our minds. Recently, my pastor, Steve Swofford, FBC, Rockwall, preached a sermon entitled Winning Over Worry. He was preaching directly to me. It was especially intriguing to me, as worry creeps into every level of my life on occasion, as I attempt to fulfill my duties of Mother, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Sunday School Teacher, Middle School Teacher, Friend, Employee and a few more hats I wear from time-to-time. "With all these responsibilities, Lord," I often ask, "How can you expect me NOT to worry." It is during these questioning times that He often gives me scripture that I learned as a child. "God is Love." After I stop questioning and admit that "God is Love," He gives me another verse that reminds me of my late teen-age years. "Be still and know that I am God." Finally, when He knows that I'm truly listening to HIM, He gives me a full adult version of a truth, "Cast all your burdens on HIM, for He cares for you." (Matt. 6:34) Wow! That last one was just what I needed. If ALL really means ALL, I can give Him every problem without a concern that He might not have time to consider such a small thing. I constantly remind myself that HE is greater than any problem I might encounter. If I am still and remember that He is Love, and I can give Him any sized problem, the solutions seem to enter into mind with little fanfare. That's not to say that I always like the solutions He gives me or that I appreciate the lessons He's trying to teach me; I sometimes do not. I occasionally feel that my justice would have been more effective, or that another person's failure would have taught a much-needed lesson to them, too. However, I know that I am called by His grace to present myself as a living example of how Christ lives in me, and I am bound by a Promise of Hope and Love to carry out His Plan in my life, so I do my best to give vengeance to Him. As I am turning over my cares to Him, and encouraging others to do the same, He is very careful to point out my intentions must be honest, so I should leave all piety out of the picture. That part is sometimes difficult, as we Christians hold ourselves in pretty high esteem sometimes. If we are truly trying to be Christ like, we must remember that Christ would never be taking credit for the goodness which came about. Even He was always careful to give praise to His Father. We should remember that powerful lesson and keep in foremost in our thoughts as we speak with others and offer guidance. Accepting guidance is oftentimes difficult, especially when you dress like an adult Christian. Our pride and sometimes our own knowledge should be kept in check, less we miss receiving a blessing that God has in store for us through others.

If we are to keep worry out of our lives, there are many tools which we have as Christians:

Knowledge from God:

• We need to come to the realization that worry is harmful and destructive.
• Worrying is trying to be in control of things out of our control.

Exercise: Read the following questions and if your answer to any of them is Yes, you are probably allowing worry to creep into your life.

1. Does worry rob you of rest and sleep--as you lie awake at night and think about problems of the past or the future?
2. Do you find yourself constantly sharing your concerns with friends? Is it dangerous for someone to ask "How are you?" Do they get negative responses instead of positive ones?
3. Do you think about problems while you're driving or riding in your car? If you drive, does your attitude cause you to drive offensively or are you rude to other drivers?
4. Does your mind wander and dwell on problems when you are listening to a speaker or with friends?
5. Are you easily irritated by questions or requests for your time?

You will be able to add other questions which pertain to your own life, but the main problem is that we are not getting the full benefit of being a Christian when we allow these things to crowd out our peace of mind.

Overcoming worry is not an impossible mission. First, we have to understand the components which make up worry. Second, we must analyze how God would have us live a worry-free life. Worry has many disguises, but the following shows what worry is NOT:

Issue: Worry has no practical use and it is not reasonable. Explanation: There is no place for worry in the Christian life because when we worry, we are not trusting God to take care of our needs. Thus, we are not getting the full blessings of our Christian walk. Bible Verse/ Promise: "Do not worry about your life, what you eat, or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" Matt. 6:25 (NIV)

Issue: Worry is not natural. Explanation: When we worry, we burden our bodies and our minds with pressures which work against our natural rhythms, creating stress, illness, fatigue, sleeplessness, irritability, fear, and even life-threatening ailments. Bible Verse/ Promise: "Any why worry about your clothes? Look at the field lilies! They don't worry about theirs. Yet King Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as beautifully as they." Matt 6: 28-29.

Issue: Worry is not helpful to anyone-ever. Explanation: Worry is counterproductive. Even though Americans take 165 tons of aspirin a day, they only mask a majority of our aches. Some are caused by worry. Worry encourages failure of our immune system through negative messages to our psyche. Bible Verse/ Promise: "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (NIV) Matt. 6:27. "Worry weighs us down." Proverbs 12:25 (Mes)

Issue: Worry is not necessary for success in any area. Explanation: We are not in control of our lives, so no matter how much we fret and scheme with our "best laid plans," our successful destiny is determined through our journey which includes a daily walk with God. Bible Verse/ Promise: "And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you, Oh you of little faith?" Matt. 6:30 (LB)

Issue: Worry does not help our witness to others. Explanation: If we are to become more like Christ, we will present ourselves as an example of our Faith. When we allow worry to overcome our sound judgment and clear thinking, we are not presenting a true picture of what our obedience through Christ should be. Bible Verse/ Promise: "When we lift others up through the Word and deed, Christ is glorified. "Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you." III John 1:5 (NIV)

Conclusion:

There are many proofs which overpower worries, and we do have biblical truths to offset troubles which come our way. We must study them, hide them in our hearts, and practice them on a daily basis.

As Christians, we are encouraged by God's word and through others in the Faith. When we get to know Him better, we will be better examples for others.

"People who don't know God and the way He works worry over these things.." Matt 6:32 a (Mes).

"Jesus said, Don't be worried and upset. Believe in God and believe also in me." John 14: 1 (GN).

In every area of our lives, we need to put God first. "Don't worry at all...your Heavenly Father already knows perfectly well what you need, and He will give it to you if you give Him first place in your life and live as He wants you to." Matt. 6:31-33 (LB).

We need to learn to live one day at a time.

"So don't worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt. 6:34 (NCV).

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matt. 6:34 (Mes).

As we give our cares and troubles to Him, we will learn to trust God to care about us as individuals.

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you." 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT).

"Don't worry about anything: instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs.. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand." Phil 4:6-7 (LB).

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:3 (NIV).

As additional acknowledgment to me that God is in control, I collect books and calendars which have Bible verses and Christian ethics on them. As I read these daily verses, I am reminded of God's plans in my life, and I am encouraged not to worry, but turn everything over to Him.

Some of my favorite and most meaningful are included below. They may be helpful to you also. These are taken from my DAYSPRING Calendar by Rebecca Barlow Jordon which explains " The attributes of our Heavenly Father far outnumber the days of the year, but His image brightly shines through....Day after day, experience another aspect of God's incredible character and renew your understanding of just how awesome our Lord truly is."

Proficiency: "When I delight in the Lord and in His Word, He will make my efforts profitable according to His Plan. My idea of success may differ from God's, but I can rest assured that He knows best and will prosper my work in His time." (Read Ps. 1:3).

Usability: "God wants to use my life to touch others. When I open myself to Him, He can fill me with a new desire to please Him by serving others." (Read Eph. 1:18).

Awareness: "Awareness comes when God opens my blind eyes to the truth of His Word. I can shut out harmful influences that take my eyes away from Jesus. As He makes me aware of His presence and of the needs of my world, I can move in His strength to touch others." (Read Matt. 20:33)

Personality: "God gives me a personality--my own unique character--especially designed by Him. If I adjust to His plans and allow Him to shape me according to His Pleasure, God will use my life in a unique way." "You made Him a little lower than the angels; You crowned Him with glory and Honor." Heb. 2:7 (NIV).

We have the promise and the pathway, what more could we ask?

November Meeting Notes compiled by Dr. Millie Alford, Educator, Rockwall, TX

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