WORRY WART

 

Good evening, you guys!  Sorry this post is coming so late in the day.  I was on a sprint today.  

A landmark was achieved here in our household today.  We subscribed to a messaging plan and I bought an upgraded phone!  You have no idea what this means to my kids...finally coming out from the rocks they've had to hide behind because we (or Greg I should say) has delayed it for one simple reason:  it is just one more thing to monitor and regulate.  I resist the term fuddy-duddy but I guess it fits now, for both of us.  So, you missed your chance to make fun of us.  We are now into the second decade of the 21st century with a vengeance.  Look for texts from me.  I need to practice.

This next installment of stepping up, knowing God and believing Him addresses the issue of worry head on. Off we go!

Here’s something to think about:  worry and anxiety are a form of unbelief/lack of faith.  Yep, chew on that for a minute.  What do you worry about?  Is it your kids’ salvation, their walk with the Lord or their falling away?  Will you lose your job?  Financial trouble?  Marital problems, relationship problems?  Do you deal with the past in way that needs to be released?  Worry, worry, worry! 

Did you know that worry can harm you physiologically?  You know all the hype about cortisol?  That is a hormone released when under stress.  It has beneficial effects during the fight or flight times in our lives and even in lower levels for sugar breakdown, stabilizing blood pressure, immune support. However, it causes havoc in a system when it is present continually in large amounts.  You can lose bone density, cognitive ability, thyroid function, muscle tissue and you are more at risk for heart disorder!  (http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall)

Do we know God well enough to believe God is who He says He is and does what He says He’ll do?  Is there hope for us chronic worriers, any instruction for us so the bridge to freedom can be crossed?

If you look at the first eight verses on Psalm 37, you’ll see what “fretting” leads to; it only leads to evil (vs 8). This section of verses clearly says, “Do not fret..” and quickly offers a remedy.  We are to trust in the Lord and do good (vs 3), delight ourselves in the Lord (vs 4), commit our way to the Lord (vs 5), be still before the Lord, wait patiently for him (vs 7), don’t fret, refrain from anger (vs 8). 

Just because there is simple, explicit instruction, it doesn’t mean it will be easy to put aside worry and axiety.  However, by the faith of the Son of God, it is imperative that we know and believe the God of Psalm 37. It is a conscious effort to rely on Him in this way. I’ll be addressing this in a later post as it relates to Isaiah 54, but for now, let’s look at some New Testament instruction.

Now, we are getting to know God…beginning to believe Him and suddenly we are in trying circumstances.  We need a strategy…and the Lord provides one in Phil 4:4-9 “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

·        Rejoice.  Be joyful always; 1Thess 5:16

·        Let gentleness be evident to all.  The word "moderation" - ἐπιεικὲς epieikes - refers to restraint on the passions, general soberness of living, being free from all excesses. The word properly means that which is fit or suitable, and then propriety, gentleness, mildness - They were to indulge in no excess of passion, or dress, or eating, or drinking. They were to govern their appetites, restrain their temper, and to be examples of what was proper for people in view of the expectation that the Lord would soon appear. (Barnes Notes on the Bible)

·        Don’t be anxious.  Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

·        Pray.  Pray continually 1 Thess 5:17

  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (vs 9 )

And if you find yourself going back and back again and back again to worry and fear, the Lord says this:

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Italics, mine)  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice.   And the God of peace will be with you.”

Col 3:1,2  Set hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things

God doesn't leave us defenseless against the temptation to worry. God said these things…it is His Word to us.  “Here’s how to handle it,” He says. So, let’s do. 

Lest you fade away at the enormity of "what to do", here is my challege:  pick one (1) imperative and start doing it.  Just one.  If it is delighting in the Lord, do it with all your heart.  If it is setting your mind on things above, just go for it.  See what happens.  I know God will honor it.  He is faithful to His word. 

Let us hear how God is working in your life.......

 

Remember, knowing and believing go hand in hand.  Pressing in to know our Maker, Redeemer, Husband, Holy One of Israel, God of all the earth, the Lord Almighty is the sure ticket to believing He is for us.

KNOW HIM SO YOU CAN BELIEVE IN HIM…

KNOW HIM SO YOU CAN LOVE HIM BACK

KNOW HIM SO YOU CAN LIVE IN THE FREEDOM FOR WHICH HE DIED

KNOW HIM SO YOU CAN BE THE WITNESS AND SERVANTS WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN.