From the beginning I must distinguish between “worry-free” and “problem-free”. I’m not proposing in this writing that anyone will have a problem-free life. That will never happen in this life. This writing is all about how we react to those problems. I’m completely aware this is a very difficult subject for any blog or article writer to tackle.
However, I know from personal experience, it is not outside the realm of realism. As a matter of fact it is very realistic and obtainable in this life. Had you said that to me during most of my adult life, you may have gotten a bit of laughter from me – not so now that I have matured to the point of knowing it is completely realistic and very possible. Continue to read and you will see just how it is obtainable.
PERSONAL TESTIMONY:
During the family rearing years, worry seemed inevitable. I thought of it as just a part of getting married and attempting to rear a family of five kids and, later on, assist with our ten grand-kids.
I would find my self worrying about whether or not my children would become the way my wife and I wanted them to become and later, when major problems developed, in some of their lives, we would worry about whether or not God would or even could solve the problems that had developed.
For years I would ask God to help me “not worry”. I would pray, how can I possibly get to the point of not worrying? Why do I worry about business and finances, my kids, my grand-kids, the medical checkup – why do I worry?
In reality I was simply saying to God, “I don’t think you are up to the job and I’m not sure if you are trustworthy to provide all the things I believe I’m needing.” So I worry that those things might not be provided. BOTTOM LINE: when I worry I am just not trusting in the goodness of God to provide all those things I believe I need or am needing to happen to make my life what I want it to be.
Do you ever worry …about anything?
Well, as you have just read, I sure have had my share of worry. However, each time of worry I would find my self remembering the teaching of scripture “…be anxious for nothing.”
Consider this quote: “Worry is like a good rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.” Here’s another thought along that line. Imagine someone carrying around a suitcase of old junk that can’t be used and complaining about a back ache. Wouldn’t you suggest that he/she drop the suitcase?
I’m not suggesting that dropping your worries would be as simple as dropping the unnecessary “stuff” you carry around. The solution is much more difficult than just telling you to stop worrying.
I’ll begin with an attempt to persuade you that if you will just hand the suitcase of unnecessary worries over to The Lord, He will gladly relieve you of the load. He has been right there with you through it all from the beginning. He has even been holding out His hands offering to take your suitcase of worries. He can handle the load and give your back ache (mind) the much needed relief it so desperately needs
Why we do the things we do will always be a mystery to me. We hang on to that suitcase as though something terrible will happen if we let it go. It’s causing us to be tired, troubled, and very off – balance while all the time The Lord is saying, “Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them…. Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Luke 12:22–24).
DEFINITION TIME: Just what is worry?
According to the dictionary it is a synonym for anxiety. Some translations of the Bible use the word “anxious” in this passage in Luke and in the same account given in Matthew 6:25-34, while other versions use the word worry. In modern days we associate worry with more long-term difficult or painful circumstances for which it seems as though there is no resolution. Those are the “unnecessary” items in the suitcase that keep you awake at night worrying about what to do knowing that there is nothing you can do.
Note: “worry-free” is mentioned in sales pitches/warranties …this means something slightly different than what I am suggesting
From scripture we can see clearly that Jesus says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow”. He goes on to tell us why we should not worry. My point here is not the kind and gentle way he illustrates with the example of the sparrow and other examples. I’m just trying to get you to understand that it is very serious to do something when God says, “Don’t Do That”.
The Beginnings of A Worry Free Life!!
As southerners say, “when it dawned on me” that worry is sinful and should not be a part of my life, I repented with deep regret for numerous times I had needlessly worried about serious circumstances. I began to ask God to give me victory over worry and anxiety. The more I asked Him and the more I started trusting Him and thanking Him for answering my prayers about the matter, the more He allowed me to be victorious over worry and anxiety as I faced circumstances over which I had no control.
DO NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT BEING “CONCERNED” about things. Concern is a good thing. It is wanting to do everything you can to help with a particular situation, but when you demand something that God has not promised, worry takes over and becomes obsessive to the point of taking over your life. DO NOT CROSS THE LINE BETWEEN CONCERN AND WORRY. There is a vast difference.
Another saying that has stuck with me over the years is, “don’t beat around the bush” or “just call a spade a spade”.
So here’s the spade: Worry and Anxiety are SINS.
In his book, “Respectable Sins, Confronting the Sins We Tolerate” Jerry Bridges gives an excellent summary on the matter of Worry. “It’s true, however, that oftentimes the situation at hand looms larger in our minds than the promises of God. We then find it difficult to believe the (His) promises. In those times, I find the words of the father of a demon-possessed son encouraging: ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ (Mark 9:24). There is a vast difference between stubborn unbelief such as was demonstrated by the people of Jesus’ hometown, Nazareth (see Mark 6:5-6), and the struggling faith of the son’s father. God honors our struggles, and the Holy Spirit will help us. The important issue is that we seek to honor God through our faith, even though weak and faltering, rather than dishonoring Him through rank unbelief.”
Allow me to encourage you that you CAN live a worry free life, but absolutely NOT in your own strength. It cannot be done without the grace and strength you will have to have every moment of every day as you live closer and closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.
An absolute must is to confess that worry is as displeasing to the Lord as any other sin we so easily tolerate in our lives. Repent and turn from worry to a life of faith and trust. Hand that “suitcase” filled with worries to the Lord and trust Him to take care of the contents.
Dan Snow
(Special note. If you are not a Christian and you don’t completely follow along with all that I have written, here’s a brief explanation. Christians are people who have trusted in God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He was crucified, buried, and rose again the third day. This act atoned for the sins of all mankind. We are trusting in Him for salvation and are therefore “born again” to walk in newness of life. Please read John chapter three in the Bible and place your trust for salvation in Jesus, He loves you!!. We believe from Scripture that if a Christian dies his spirit/soul goes into the presence of the Lord and will be with Him forever.)
Your comments are WELCOMED.