Are you worried?

[~Julia~]

From my corner of the world to yours....

G-d bless,

Julia

We are an anxious nation...in fact, we are an anxious world. There is no question that uncertainty seems to have increased dramatically in the last few years. We worry about the economy. We worry about terrorism. We worry about war. We worry about losing our jobs. We worry about the dangers confronting our children. And on and on and on.....

Now the New Testament word for worry (merimnao) means "to be anxious, to be distracted, to have a divided mind." It's the word Jesus used when He said, "Do not worry about your life" (Matt. 6:25). Paul used it when he wrote, "Be anxious for nothing" (Phil. 4:6). People who worry are preoccupied or distracted. No matter what else they may be doing, one part of their mind is worrying.

What does the Bible say about worry? The Bible teaches that there are two kinds of worry: (1) a negative, harmful, crippling worry(2) a positive, beneficial concern. Negative worry in the Bible is a troubled fretting and anxiety. Jesus mentioned this kind of worry six times in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6). Peter instructed his readers to cast their cares on G-d (1 Pet. 5:7). When we use the word worry, we usually have this negative, crippling kind of worry in mind.

Do you remember the time the disciples were out in a boat in a storm? Jesus had sent them ahead while He went to a mountain to pray (Matt. 14:22-33). A strong wind swept across the Sea of Galilee. It was so powerful that the exhausted disciples could make no headway rowing into it. Then Jesus appeared, walking to them across the water. The disciples were terrified.

After Jesus identified Himself, Peter was skeptical. "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water" When Jesus said "Come," by faith Peter walked out on the water toward Him. But then he looked around him. He saw the power of the wind and the huge waves. He thought about the danger he was in and began to question whether he could survive in a situation like that. He began to sink. He cried out to Jesus, who reached out His hand and escorted Peter back to the boat.

We worry because we distrust G-d. Confronted with our vulnerability, we have a choice. We can turn our safety over to G-d and trust Him with our apprehensions. Or we can take our well-being into our own hands. That's what Peter did on the water. Confronted by his frailty, he lost faith in Jesus. Yet he knew he couldn't save himself. Jesus' words to Peter are revealing. "O you of little faith," He said. Peter stopped trusting Jesus. When we no longer feel that we can trust Jesus with our lives, our feelings, or our future, we worry.

All of us can rise above any situation that life hands us. All of us can live a fulfilling life in the middle of the turmoil! Worriers have focused their eyes on the consequences of events that have not yet happened. They feel vulnerable and expect the worst. They take responsibility for things that are out of their control. But if they will turn to G-d, they will find in His character the answer to their vulnerability. G-d's character is best seen in His Word. G-d is in charge. The Bible teaches that nothing happens in this world that is beyond the knowledge and control of G-d. "The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all" (Ps. 103:19). He is God Almighty (Ps. 66:7). He is the sovereign Lord of all. Worriers feel that things are out of control--that something terrible is about to happen and they can't stop it. When the questions raised by those feelings create anxiety, worriers need to remember three important truths about

G-d

[kross]

HE has it all under control. What's to worry about?

[eagleswings]

To calm his fright, Elisha prayed that his servants eyes would be opened..He then encouraged his servant, saying, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them"..(2kings 6:16) As the Lord opened the servants eyes, he saw what Elisha saw..The , the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha"...(v.17)

[Floatingaxe]

As God has given mankind dominion over the earth, and not Satan, He is only involved in world affairs as He is invited. So, of course we have many worriers--those who are not His. Those who walk with God through faith Jesus Christ, trusting Him with their very substance will not worry, for they have invited God's control, provision and protection.

[~Julia~]

To calm his fright, Elisha prayed that his servants eyes would be opened..He then encouraged his servant, saying, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them"..(2kings 6:16) As the Lord opened the servants eyes, he saw what Elisha saw..The , the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha"...(v.17)

Hey Sis!

There were Soooo many references about "worry" I could have went on and on and on...thank you for adding that treasure

Love in Christ,

Juls

[stormy612]

My problem with worry is that my flesh screams so darn loud! And non-stop. Fear shows up first (I'm never going to make it through this!) Then fretting comes. When its done fretting (what if?! what if?!), it starts whining (but God! You said....!). When it's done with that, it turns to complaining (I hate my life!), that turns to self-righteous anger (I SO totally do NOT deserve this!), then it plots (A-Ha! If I do this then...). Fretting returns to destroy the plotting (yeh, that might work, but what if?). After a battle between those two, guilt shows up (did I cause this? How?), then Satan makes his appearance (of COURSE you caused it!) then, it just plunks down defeated and cries (why me?). When it's cried all it can, my spirit can finally hear God's whisper (shhhh....and remember what I've taught you...) Ahhhh....peace. Then my spirit starts eating His heavenly manna and gets prepared by putting on the armor of God.

Now, if I could find that perfect flesh shutter-upper, I could make far better use of that wasted time!

Edited October 20, 2008 by stormy612

[Guest Biblicist]

Not in the least!

Wise post Julia.

Be anxious for nothing!

[alycia]

Not in the least!

Wise post Julia.

Be anxious for nothing!

Nope, not worried either!

[Guest Biblicist]

Not in the least!

Wise post Julia.

Be anxious for nothing!

Nope, not worried either!

Good for you!

[Guest tee-model]

OF COURSE NOT, THE LORD DOES TELL US NOT TO WORRY FOR US TO LOOK UP FOR THY TIME DRAWETH NIGH. PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME. THE MAIN THING IS THAT WE STAY READY AT ALL TIMES. WE MUST NOT JUST TALK THE TALK BUT WE MUST BE TOTALLY DEDICATED TO THE LORD AND ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THINGS ARE FALLING APART BUT IF YOU ARE A BORN AGAIN CHILD OF GOD YOU NEED NOT WORRY FOR HE HAS SAID MANY TIMES OVER IN HIS WORD HE WOULD NOT LEAVE NOR FORSAKE US. I FOR ONE STAND ON THAT WORD FOR HE IS TRUTH.