Don't Worry About It

Matthew 6: 25-26

The bible tells us not to worry. It did not tell us not to respond. Worry is a response, but it is not a godly response. How we respond to life says a whole lot about us and our faith.

If we were to find drugs in our child’s bedroom, we would respond to that emotionally and mentally. We would feel anxiety, anger, disrespected and threatened. When something hits us unexpectedly; it is very difficult to keep our emotions out of it. It is hard to stay positive when we’ve been lied on, put down and attacked.

We like to have a little control, but there are so many things in life that come to us uninvited. We desire one thing and the opposite things come. The choice we have from God is to "Not Worry" about it. It is our decision; we consider the problem at hand and conclude that we will not worry about it.

Many individuals live a lifestyle of worry. God allows things intended to strengthen our faith and help us to grow and mature. So often we need to change bad habits and make adjustments in our negative attitudes. But God does not set us up to worry.

Concern is not the same as worry. To be concerned means that "I care" and "I want to help". I am concerned about my family, my health and my success on my job. I want to see things done well so that God will get the glory.

And because I am concerned and have a high regard for balance in my life, I live in obedience to the Word of God. I live honestly and morally; I pay my bills, tithe, and work hard.

If my child is playing sports and injures an ankle, I am concerned about whether or not it is broken. Therefore I may take her to a physician to get an x-ray. I have concern about the stock market because I have investments.

Concern is positive. It motivates us to take action. Problems sometimes seem overwhelming, but in the end, our decision must be to "not worry about it".

Worry is both unproductive and paralyzing. It keeps us locked in a negative reality zone. That’s a bad way to live, but we can live that way if we choose to. The better choice would be to trust God and seek His plan and purpose for our lives.

Worry has a bad effect on us. It distracts us so that we cannot concentrate. It prevents us from being the husband, wife or parent that we desire and need to be. We want to be a good mother, but something is worrying us. We need to deal with life scripturally.

It would likely surprise us to know just how much energy we utilize through worrying. Worry drains us, so that by the end of the day, we are exhausted. All night long we toss and turn, and the next day we are a little bit off in our judgments. We can’t comprehend what we read, don’t listen well and forget a lot of things.

Research has proven that worry causes all kinds of physical problems. Everything from a simple headache and upset stomach to life threatening heart attacks and strokes are linked to worrying. It wears the immune system down so that over time, it can shorten the length of time God desires us to live. Hospitals hire chaplains to talk to patients and family members. They recognize that prayer helps to not worry as much, and that helps to promote the healing process.

I don’t believe that alcoholics drink and crack addicts use drugs because it’s fun. But because they can’t handle life without worrying, they are driven to drink or use drugs. If they would cry out to God for His peace, it would help them so much. God hears sincere prayer.

Worry makes us focus on the worse of possibilities. We cannot claim deliverance when we see the worse. We need God’s help in dealing with problems and in focusing our thoughts and energy on Him. He can help calm us down, and teach us how to wait on Him.

The sovereign God has absolute control over everything. He knows the details of everything we are going through. He can make wholeness out of brokenness and strength out of weakness. He can heal what is sick. Trust in God is what makes worry disappear.

By: Edmund J Brown