Worrying Gets You Nowhere Fast!

"Worrying is like paying on a debt that may never come due."  -Will Rogers

Someone once said that worry is fear's extravagance. It extracts interest on trouble before it comes due. It constantly drains the energy God gives us to face daily problems and to fulfill our many responsibilities. It is, therefore, a sinful waste.

A woman who had lived long enough to have learned some important truths about life remarked, "I've had a lot of trouble -- most of which never happened!" She had worried about many things that had never occurred, and had come to see the total futility of her anxieties.

Did you know that over 100 diseases have been directly attributed to worry? Worry will not only take away your physical energy, it will also rob the soul of its stamina as well. Why? Worry is the ultimate act of rebellion against the rule of God in a believer’s life. How? Worry says that God is dead; and if He is alive, then He is incapable of doing anything about my situation!

Even though we may know these things, it doesn't change the fact that people worry. As a matter of fact, worry could be called the most popular pastime of the human race. One elderly lady said, “I always feel bad when I feel good, for I know that I’ll feel bad after awhile!” What a tragic outlook, yet many of us live right there.

When you get right down to it, although the calendar says that there are seven days in the week, there are really only three. Two of them should never cross our minds in worry. One of them is yesterday, and it can never be changed. The other is tomorrow and no man holds the power to affect tomorrow.

Today is really the only day we have; and with God's help, we can face anything that arises (Philippians 4:13). I guess you could say that worry is sort of like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere!

If you have your Bible handy, turn to Philippians 4:6-7. In these verses, the Bible sheds some light on how we are to handle our cares. Let's see what God has to say concerning "worry!"

First, we'll examine what is said regarding problems. In Philippians 4:6, we are told to be careful. Nowhere does the Bible ever attempt to downplay the existence of problems.  In fact, it tells us quite plainly that problems will stalk us as long as we live in this world (Job 14:1; John 16:33; Ecclesiastes 2:23). Of course, you didn't need me to tell you that troubles and trials are real, did you? After all, you struggle with them every day of your life.

The phrase “be careful for nothing” literally means “Do not worry about anything!” As clearly as I can, I want you to understand that worry is a sin! When it comes to worrying over the problems we face in this life, God has one word to say: Don’t!

Philippians 4:6 also speaks to us about prayer. Instead of worrying, the child of God is counseled to pray. When Paul talks about praying, he uses three words in this verse. He talks about prayer, supplication and requests. Paul also says that we are to do this “in everything." Big things and little things alike are to be the subjects of our prayer lives. Nothing is too big for God, and nothing is too small for Him either!

In the same verse, notice that our praying is to be done in the attitude of “thanksgiving.” As we approach God with the worries, fears and burdens of life, we should do so with a thankful heart. Why? We have a God Who cares about us; Who hears us; Who loves us and Who had promised to answer our prayers when we call upon Him. Besides that, regardless of how bad life becomes, God has directed our path to that point, and He is actively working out His will in us (Romans 8:28).

Next, in Philippians 4:7, we are promised His peace. What is peace? The best definition I have ever heard is this: Peace is tranquility of the soul! This kind of peace “passeth all understanding.” This is a state of being where you are calm in the heart and mind, despite the fact that turmoil and strife are raging around you.

This is calm in the heart that exists even though your storm still rages. It is a mysterious thing, but it is God’s gift to those who will trust in Him “in everything”. This is the kind of peace that Jesus promised His disciples (John 14:27). It is a peace that is divine in origin. It is a peace that cannot be disrupted by the problems, disturbances and difficulties of life. It is a peace that cannot waiver, that cannot be shaken and that cannot be destroyed.

Additionally in this verse (Philippians 4:7), we are told that God’s peace will “keep your hearts and minds.” When Paul mentions the heart, he is referring to the seat of the emotions. The heart is the place from which our feelings come. When Paul mentions the mind, he is referring to the place where we do our thinking.

And, what is worry if it isn't wrong feeling and wrong thinking? When we see our burdens, our problems and our fears through human eyes, we will always develop wrong feelings and wrong thoughts about the things we face in life.

However, God’s promise is that His peace will “keep” our “hearts and our minds.” The word “Keep” means “to stand guard over.” When Paul wrote these words, he had a Roman guard on either side of him. They were “standing guard” over the man of God. Paul says that God’s peace is like a guard that protects the heart from wrong feelings, and the mind from wrong thoughts!

I'd like to conclude today's message with a quote by Dr. Charles Stanley (founder and president of In Touch Ministries). "Our heavenly Father understands our disappointment, suffering, pain, fear, and doubt. He is always there to encourage our hearts and help us understand that He's sufficient for all of our needs. When I accepted this as an absolute truth in my life, I found that my worrying stopped."

Scripture: Matthew 6:27; Jeremiah 17:7; Hebrews 11:1; Psalm 56:3-4; Romans 8:32; Joshua 1:9; Romans 15:13

Prayer: Dear Father, my heart is heavy at times. I worry about things I cannot change. I worry about what others think. Please take these burdens from me, and grant me peace. Amen

God bless you!

Lori