HOW DOES WORRY WORK OUT FOR YOU?

HOW DOES WORRY WORK OUT FOR YOU?

 Arguably, the greatest waste of our time and energy is worry.

 Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of faith, asks a very practical question about the human tendency to allow anxiety and worry to rule:  “Which of you by worrying can add one hour to his life’s span?” (Luke 12:25, AMP)  Viewed in that light, worry is not only unhelpful, it is (pardon my candor) incredibly dumb!

 Whenever fear’s first-cousin, worry, knocks on her door, the author Mary Crowley deploys an entirely logical strategy.  “I turn all worries over to God.  He’s going to be up all night anyway.”  We like that, Mary, and we’ll try it!  For if we allow it, worry drains the joy out of what otherwise was a wonderfully blessed day.  When we allow it, worry pulls a dismal cloud over tomorrow’s sunshine. 

 One of my favorite authors, A. W. Tozer, wrote this: “The man who comes to a right belief about God is relieved of ten thousand temporal problems for he sees at once that these have to do with matters which at the most cannot concern him very long.”  In other words, past encounters with trouble have taught you one priceless lesson.  They come to an end and you make it.  You’re a survivor.  So why worry since God always has your back in ways you cannot possibly imagine.  Think.  The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the ending of anxiety. 

 Never forget that God is always up to something  supreme behind the scenes.

 One of Napoleon’s generals unexpectedly appeared with 18,000 soldiers before an Austrian town which had no means of defending itself.  The town council met, feeling sure that surrender was the only solution.  An aged pastor reminded the council that it was Easter, and begged them to hold services as usual and leave the trouble in God’s hands.  Reluctantly, they followed his advice.  When the church bells were rung to announce the service, the French soldiers heard them and concluded that the Austrian army had come to the town’s rescue.  They immediately broke camp, and vanished.

My friend, God has a peculiar way of working things out, even the tough stuff.  As the song says, “God specializes in things that seem impossible.”  So, in the words of the Apostle Paul, the believer’s charge is to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

 The lyrics penned by Joseph Scriven are clearly apropos.  “Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

 Stop worrying about it, and tell GOD about it.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!