If you are like me, you are prone to worry about many things. Young people might worry about their futures, about school or friends. Parents of course worry about their children. We can all worry about our health, money, employment and what the future will bring for us. Some areas of our life we may reasonably think that we have control over (perhaps before the advent of the coronavirus), other areas of our lives, we know are outside of our control. And it is here that the worry normally is for us.
JESUS
Jesus has some things to say to us about worry:
““Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” Mt. 6:,25
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Mt. 6,33-34😀
Jesus is not saying that we don’t need to work, or to plan for our lives. The whole section from verse 19 down to 34, is about priorities. We cannot both serve God an mammon. In any case, we cannot change what is outside of our control, by worrying (v. 27). We are to first seek God’s kingdom and righteousness, and our needs for this life will be met. It demonstrates godliness and reverence that we entrust our lives and bodies in the hands of him who gave them.
PAUL
Saint Paul has some things to say to us about worry! He is imprisoned, probably in Rome, when he writes his letter to the Philippians. He is uncertain of what the future will bring for him; whether execution, or further service for the Lord (Phil. 1,12-26). Yet facing what may be imminent death, it is easy to see where his concern lies; read Phil. 1,3-11. It starts like this:
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,” … Phil. 1,3-4
To them he says in chapter 4:
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4,6-7
God wants us to MAKE KNOWN TO HIM😊what our worries are, and what our needs are. IT WILL BRING US PEACE, WHEN WE ADD THANKSGIVING!😀👍
PETER
1 Peter is written to Christians suffering persecution in what is now northern Turkey (1,1). That is the background to the verses below from chapter 5:
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5,6-7
“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” v. 7
I have written about this verse elsewhere; see THE FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD 1, for a comment on the Greek!
What comes out in the Greek, is that that which worries me, is a concern to God.
When I am worried, as I sometimes am, I find the best thing to do for me is to tell God about it. I talk through the whole matter with him; and I don’t just do this quietly – No, I go somewhere where I can be really vocal about it. That helps me the most! I go over his promises with him! And I thank him – I bring all my thanksgiving to him!
JAMES
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5,16
There are times, when after laying the matter before God with thanksgiving, we may still struggle with the worry. At such times, it is a great thing to have a brother or a sister to talk to and pray with.
Dear friend! I do not believe it is good for you and I to worry. I believe it can damage our health, and it can certainly make it more difficult for God to work in our lives. This is because when we worry, we are not really trusting God! So the best thing is to know what to do with it; and deal with it quickly. Don’t go around worrying for days on end. I don’t believe it is possible just by dictate to stop worrying. You may get somewhere through positive thinking, but to solve the issue, we need to bring our worries before God and confess them to him – they do betray a lack of confidence in him. For that reason we should ask God’s forgiveness when we worry.
The Bible is full of encouragement for the worrier – if you know where to find it. The scriptures that I have given you above, are all very well known New Testament scriptures, which Christians have used and tested down the centuries, and found to bring help in time of need!
Lastly, I want to honour my Father and your Father, by saying to you that I have tested God (in the good sense!) in many things, and found him to be faithful to his promises! 😊👍