Worry. We all have worries: finances, jobs, relationships, kids, health issues, etc. But there are three problems with worry. Worry is unhelpful, it’s unreasonable and it’s unhealthy. It’s unhelpful because it never accomplishes anything, worry does not solve the problem. Worry can't change the past. It can't control the future. It can only make us miserable today. It is unhelpful.
It’s unreasonable. It magnifies the problem. It makes mountains out of molehills. Worry makes your problems seem bigger then they really are. To worry about something you can’t change is useless. To worry about something you can change is stupid – just go ahead and change it. Worry is unreasonable.
Worry is unhealthy. The body isn't made for worry. Worry can cause ulcers, backaches, headaches, insomnia. It’s unnatural. Plants and animals don’t worry. The only thing in creation that worries is people. The old English word for worry means “to strangle” or “to choke”. Worry is not natural and it’s unhealthy.
This week, I'd like to take a look at what worries us, and see what the Bible has as an "antidote," if you will, for worry. If I really believe that God is going to take care of me, I’m not going to worry. I’m going to trust in God for all my needs. David called God his shepherd. What do shepherds do?
1. A shepherd provides. Food, shelter, the basic necessities.
2. A shepherd protects. Against enemy attacks.
3. A shepherd guides. Leads when you don’t know the path.
4. A shepherd gathers. When we head in the wrong direction.
The amazing thing is that God promised to do these four things in your life if you’ll trust Him. He says, “I’ll provide for you. I’ll protect you. I’ll guide you. I’ll gather you to my side if you’ll let me be your shepherd. Take a look at what it says in Isaiah 40:11.
"He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young" (Isaiah 40:11). Need more proof? Philippians 4:19 gets even more specific. "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Notice at the word "will" in the verse above. The verse doesn’t say might – it doesn’t say I’ll think about it – it says He will. He’s either going to supply my needs, or He is a liar. God says “I will meet all your needs.” What does all include? Doctor payments? Mortgage payments? Spiritual needs? Financial needs? Relational needs? Yes – everything.
Ladies, and gentlemen, worry is not only unhelpful, unreasonable, unhealthy – but it’s unnecessary if Jesus is your shepherd. Any time you worry you’re acting like an atheist. In essence you are saying: God is not going to take care of my needs. I don’t think He can. I don’t think He’s big enough – in fact I’m not sure He is even there. The "antidote for worry" though is make God your shepherd.
Okay, so you might be thinking to yourself, "Sure, this is easy enough for you to say..but, how do I make God my Shepherd?" First, let me tell you, God is not the Shepherd for everybody. He’s only the Shepherd of those who let Him be the Shepherd. Now, here's what you need to do.
First, I need to accept Jesus as my Lord (Psalms 23:1). The Lord does not become your shepherd automatically. You have to ask Him to be your shepherd. You have to ask Him to be your Lord. What does it mean to be Lord? It means to be in control. Lord simply means to be in charge. Today instead of Lord we might say, the boss, the manager, the owner. Lord means under His control. The person on top calling the shots.
Jesus is Lord of your life when you put Him in control. If He’s not calling the shots in your life – He is not your Lord. If He’s not Lord in your life – He is not your shepherd. Because Lord means Shepherd. All worry is about is a control issue. Who is really in control? Worry is nothing more then trying to control what you can’t control - trying to control the uncontrollable. Worry is a warning light that you have not put God in control.
Who’s in control of your life? God gives you the option. He doesn’t force Himself in anyone’s life. You have two options – either you can be in control of your life or you can let God be in control of your life. God doesn’t co-pilot. If you’re in control of your life you are playing God. Every time you try to take complete control of your life – you are going to worry – because worry is a control issue.
If you’re running your own life without having God in control you aught to worry. Because there are things in your life that you will never control. But if God is running your life and He’s the Lord of your life – you should not worry. The Lord is your Shepherd. Next, begin praying about everything!
What should you start praying about? Start praying about the things you have been worrying about. If we prayed about the things we worried about we would have a lot less time to worry. Worry doesn’t change things – prayer does. Worry is stewing without doing. Prayer puts you in contact with the One who can change the things you can’t. Whenever a problem arises I have two options – I can either panic, or I can pray (Philippians 4:6).
In closing, the last item I'd like to mention is: consider one day at a time (Matthew 6:34). God will take care of tomorrow – trust Him for today. Don’t open your umbrella until it starts raining. Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. When you worry you don’t change yesterday, you can’t control tomorrow, and you mess up today with worrying. The future can seem overwhelming. Therefore, trust God in small bites. Live for Him today.
When it comes to "worry," consider this. Overcoming worry is a day by day choice. There is no pill you can take to stop worrying. There is no seminar, book, or tape that will make you stop worrying. God’s antidote for worry is to put Him in control of you life.
Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:13 ; Luke 1:37; John 14:1 ; Psalm 55:22; Jeremiah 17:7
Now, let's pray...
O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen
-special thanks to Tom Shepard
Have a blessed week!
Bibi
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