I was reading through Jesus’ words on worry yesterday and it struck me once again just how down-to-earth and practical they are. In Matthew 6 he says things like, “Doesn’t God clothe the flowers with beauty and the birds with feathers? Hello! Won’t he take care of you too?... So what are you so worried about?... Friend, don’t worry about what you’re going to eat or drink or wear, those are the things that worldly people live for. Choose to focus on living out and spreading God’s story instead and trust me, he’ll take care of all your needs…”
All this makes so much sense to my heart, but it’s so hard to actually do. Then Jesus said, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” And I realized that worry never adds anything positive to life, it only detracts from life. It detracts from peace, from faith, from relational harmony, from your spiritual, physical, emotional health. Worry only takes away from the life and doesn’t actually change anything in the end. It has no power to heal, to add life, to deepen relationships.
I know firsthand just how destructive it can be.
I think if our world didn’t have to deal with guilt, shame, grief and worry we’d be experiencing the foretaste of heaven.
Today my prayer is going to be that God lets me have a little nibble by leading me away from worrying about tomorrow. It’s like Jesus said, “Every day has enough problems of its own.”
17 comments:
Boy did I need to read this today. I'm battling our budget and upcoming expenses, asking God if I HAVE to stick to the numbers. I'd be a bad accountant. But worry was starting to poison me. Thank you.
I like what Corrie ten Boom said, "When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer."
Trust is a good medicine for people that worry too much.
This ministered to me today Steven. Thanks!
gaj
I am chief among sinners when it comes to worry. I know this and I'm really working hard to get out of it.
But I have to tell you, every time I see a dead bird, I think of that verse.
It's funny in a twisted sort of way.
I'm like flea....I'm constantly worrying about my budget.
Every penny seems spoken for - always.
I think this is an important teaching to remember, but at the same time, I have to be careful not to use it as an excuse to be careless. There's a difference between carelessness and not worrying. Sometimes I have to ask myself, "Okay, are you only not worrying?? -- Or are you being careless?"
I do agree with your idea (or Jesus's?). Each day has each problem. Sometimes I think I am a fool because I worry something that cannot add any values in my life. Worry just scatters my life.
Also, I have read your book: Sailing Between The Stars. I love it! :)
Steven....
Hope you come back soon! I miss your posts!!
I came today, thinking I'd catch up on post reading - seems that mine's not the only busy summer. :)
But reading the worry post again was very helpful. After 9 years of homeschooling, my children start public school tomorrow. I was up till 4, stressing and praying. It's like that final exam that you can't study for one more minute, but you can't help stressing either. And you know that you had many careless moments leading up to the stress. The possibility of failure sits squarely on your shoulders.
Again, even though I've come to this place somewhat unprepared, thank you for reminding me to trust God. My kids are His kids.
Oh, and our budget is on track and doing well. Action combats worry too.
Well said flea!
Action does combat worry...It also combats the feeling of being "careless".
Sure hope all is going well with your children and public school
Interesting topic. I am an x-obsessive worrier, (in recovery). Seems to me that worry, guilt and shame are often our wounds being manifested in our behavior, and once discovered are a choice we make.
Grief on the other hand, I am not sure we have a choice.
Nice to read new comments... but we need new posts here! ;-)
Hope you are OK, Steve. We are still doing our best to promote your book in our language area. Some good reviews! Blessings from the Netherlands.
Here's a spoiler. Word has it that Steven's been out of commission for a while because he's locked himself up in a closet hammering out the last few pages of his next Patrick Bowers Thriller. He's just a few blocks away from my house. I think I can hear his keyboard . . .
Thanks for the update Eric! I've been wondering about Steven.
I bought your book, Steven...Sailing Between the Stars. I'm currently still reading it, and really enjoying it. It's hilarious in some places, and yet you give new perspectives on some things that give me something to think about. Being someone that likes reading apologetic works, this is a refreshing break to ponder more on the wonderous and "magical" mysteries of faith. I also enjoy the poetry you've sprinkled in.
I look forward to buying your new fiction novel..."The Pawn".
And...I want to say thanks for creating this blog. I learned about you by noticing a book on a shelf in a bookstore. I didn't buy your book at that time, but was interested and by remembering your name and browsing online, I found this blog. After reading your posts, I thought...I've got to go back and buy that book!
...And I did.
God Bless!
reading this reminder that God takes care of us...really soothed my brow today that had been wrinkles with the worries of today, tomorrow....heck - even next year!
Amen!
I've been worrying about getting my wisdom teeth pulled, it just gives me the creeps. But I'll try to get a handle on my worrying and say, "Hey, no more worrying." I'm worried that won't work, though...
Oi, achei seu blog pelo google está bem interessante gostei desse post. Gostaria de falar sobre o CresceNet. O CresceNet é um provedor de internet discada que remunera seus usuários pelo tempo conectado. Exatamente isso que você leu, estão pagando para você conectar. O provedor paga 20 centavos por hora de conexão discada com ligação local para mais de 2100 cidades do Brasil. O CresceNet tem um acelerador de conexão, que deixa sua conexão até 10 vezes mais rápida. Quem utiliza banda larga pode lucrar também, basta se cadastrar no CresceNet e quando for dormir conectar por discada, é possível pagar a ADSL só com o dinheiro da discada. Nos horários de minuto único o gasto com telefone é mínimo e a remuneração do CresceNet generosa. Se você quiser linkar o Cresce.Net(www.provedorcrescenet.com) no seu blog eu ficaria agradecido, até mais e sucesso. If is possible add the CresceNet(www.provedorcrescenet.com) in your blogroll, I thank. Good bye friend.
So nothing happened since July 2007?? ;-) But I do hope that your life is so exciting that you couldn't find time to write new blog postings. Just came here to wish you all the best for Christmas and 2008. Be blessed and keep on writing great books, please.
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