Worry

While traveling in Oklahoma, I saw a sign that said, “Worry is sin in disguise!”

Worrying is feelings of anxiety, uneasiness, frustration. These feelings added to stress of daily life and one may feel an overwhelmingly lack of control.

Oh, am I the only one who has worried about trivial things such as what I will wear to the reunion or serious things such as illness of a loved one, a friend that has decided not to be your friend, a job performance, a financial crisis, a loved one that does not know Jesus as their savior.

At the end of Jesus’ ministry on the earth in John 13 and 14, the disciples are worrying, they question the Lord Jesus Christ shortly after Judas Iscariot departs from the last supper.

Jesus says, “Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer, you will seek me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.”

Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, where are you going?”

 

Jesus answers, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you shall follow me afterward.”

Peter says, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake.”

Thomas says, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way?”

Philip says to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

Judas (not Iscariot) asks, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

Beloved, worry is manifested in these questions. Where are you going? Why, can’t we follow you?

According to Dr. David Jeremiah in the Jeremiah Study Bible on page 1292,

1. Worry is inconsistent. In Matthew 6:25, if we can trust Jesus to provide us with our life, can we not also trust Him with our daily needs?
2. Worry is irrational. In Matthew 6:26, if our Lord cares for the birds, will He not also care for us, since we are more valuable than birds?
3. Worry is ineffective. In Matthew 6:27, who among us can add one cubit (the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger) to our stature (height) by worrying?
4. Worry is illogical. In Matthew 6: 28-30, if God can clothe the lilies of the field, can He not also clothe us?
5. Worry is irreligious. In Matthew 6:31-32, when we worry, we act just like those who do not know God.

What are you worrying about? Do you worry about a wayward child? Your adult children who are not walking with the Lord? Do you worry about your relationship with your spouse? Why is your love one not calling you? Do you worry about your career? Do you worry about your finances? How do you make your money meet your bill obligations?  How will you pay for college for your children? How long will you be unemployed? How will you pay for groceries for the month?

So, what does one do with worry?

Peter says in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Proverbs reminds us in chapter 3: 5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Philippians 4: 6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

David Jeremiah suggest we give our worry, anxiety, frustrations to God. He says concern is a legitimate emotion. When we are concerned, we focus on the real problem, we turn our concerns over to God. We focus on solutions and not on the problem. We give the concern to God and then we let go and let God handle our concerns.

In Psalm 55:22, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you: he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Beloved, will you give your worries, anxiety and frustration to the Lord? If worry is sin in disguise, will you confess your sin and turn to Jesus with your concerns?

 

Linking with Tracie Miles #stressless living