I came from a family or worriers. Some of them had perfected the art. I grew up thinking worry was natural and normal, that it was good because it showed you cared about what was happening around you. I’ve always been predisposed to fear, so worry came easily to me. Then I became a Christian and had to face my fears. I realized worry is a sin, the opposite of trusting in God. I could have easily made a list of things to worry about in those years, but instead I’m going to make a list of things I don’t have to worry about.
HEALTH. This was a biggie in my family growing up. It is based on fear of pain and lack of feeling in control. But if you know the Great Physician, you never need to worry that you may suffer with a condition that no doctor understands or can treat. Nothing takes God by surprise, and that includes whatever ails your body. No condition is out of God’s league. And you can take comfort knowing that nothing touches you that hasn’t first passed through His loving hands. Trust that, as Psalm 139 says, He knows every detail of what is going on in your body—and in the bodies of those you love— and He can handle it.
FINANCES. It seems we never have enough money, no matter how many raises or promotions we get. Money becomes very important because without it we would suffer greatly. It is a necessity in life – but so is air and sunshine, and we don’t worry about God providing them. The key is to be content with what we have and live within our means, not always trying to have more (1 Timothy 6:10). Proverbs 30:8–9 Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
LACKING WHAT WE NEED. This was something my Pennsylvania German family worried about. Going through the Great Depression didn’t help. I was taught to be frugal, never waste anything and save everything because you might need it sometime. That’s still part of me (ask my wife, she’ll tell you!). But even that doesn’t guarantee we’d have enough. “What if ……..” I’ve learned that if God can control the vast complexities of the universe, He can control the circumstances and events in our lives to provide us with what we need. Jesus, Himself, said: “…do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear….Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26). That sounds like a pretty clear “Don’t worry about it” statement from the Son of God. In other words, “You have a God who is in control, so don’t feel like you have to be in control!” Isn’t it sad to see a young child constantly worried about their next meal, clothing, etc.? Of course, their parents will provide so they don’t need to worry. The same is true with our heavenly Father (Matthew 7:9-11). God promises in His Word to supply all our needs (but not all our wants) according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Take God at His word and trust that He takes care of His children.
SAFETY, PROTECTION. There’s no way of totally protecting ourselves short of staying home sitting on the floor in a corner for the rest of our lives. Yet plenty can happen there as well. Ultimately it is God who protects us and keeps us safe. Psalm 4:8: “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 121:2-3: “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber….” You can only do so much to keep yourself safe and the rest is in God’s hands. Trust those loving capable hands, rather than insult Him by worrying. (Continued in the next blog)
Matthew 6:25–34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
What are/were your biggest worries? Are they on the list I started? What worries do you think will be listed in the next blog?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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