Worry

Most of us worry about something. Whether it’s about our family, our health, the economy, etc. we all have a tendency to be anxious about something. Most of the time, we are “concerned” for good reasons. Other times, the things that people worry about are incredulous and even beyond the outer limits of our thoughts and imagination. Whether our fears are “normal” or abnormal, over they years I’ve heard repeatedly that most of the things that we worry about never happens. I think that it is on this basis that we try and comfort ourselves, as well as others with, “Don’t worry.” I am learning that these words are ineffective and futile.

It would be different if we came equipped with “on” and “off” buttons. We could then turn off worry and turn on happy. But we weren’t built that way. No matter how many times we tell ourselves, “Don’t worry” or “That is illogical and unreasonable,” we cannot turn off worry. Besides, the most inconceivable could happen.

There was a man who lost everything—his possession, his children, and his health. On second thought, he did have one thing left, a nagging wife. After suffering a while, he revealed his heart, “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me” (Job 3:25).

This snapshot from the life of Job, stops me from saying, “That’s silly! Stop worrying! Everything will be all right.” Because as unreasonable as something may sound, there is a possibility that our worst nightmare could happen.

So, how can we stop worrying? How do we stop our hearts from pounding? How do keep from going out of our minds? How can we put our anxieties to rest? How do we bury our fears?

The bad new is that we can’t. But David knew Who could. David confidently said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…” Why not? David confesses and declares, “…for You [God] are with me” (Psalms 23:4).

It should be more than a comforting thought that, “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). If it isn’t, we’ve got some work to do, because John says, “…perfect love drives out fear…” (I John 4:18).

Jimmy

In his rear view mirror, Jimmy watched the speeding car weave in and out of traffic. As the car approached him, Jimmy recognized the other vehicle and when it was right in back of him, Jimmy slammed on his brakes. In his rear view mirror, he watched the other car come to a screeching halt. By watching the lips, facial expression, and gestures of the driver behind him, Jimmy was certain that the driver behind him was irate. Jimmy then turned around and pointed his finger at the driver in back of him. When the driver saw Jimmy, his jaw dropped, his facial expression changed, and he drove around Jimmy and sped off. When Jimmy’s son recognized his father, he had an abrupt change in his attitude.

I laughed when I heard this story and like so many of Jesus’ parables, I saw myself in the story. Cruising through life, I often find myself in a place where I become irritated, frustrated, angry, or indignant with others. Often, while I am throwing a hissy-fit or breathing murderous threats, I hear the words, “Whatever you’ve done to these, you’ve done to Me” (Matthew 25:31-46), or “If you forgive, your heavenly Father will forgive you” (Matthew 6:14). These words force me to put on the brakes and to come to a stand still, knowing that the Father is watching me. And even though I know that He accepts and loves me, during these times I find it hard to look into my Father’s eyes, much less go to Him.

As I understand the story, Jimmy’s son did not come home for a few days. It’s my prayer that the LORD will grant me humility so that I will never leave “home” and always be quick to repent.

I Can't Do Everything

This morning when I got to my desk, and looked at all things to do, notes to myself, and prayer requests, I blurted out, “I can’t do everything, LORD!” He said to me, “That’s My job.”

I didn’t actually hear an audible voice, but that was the thought that immediately went through my mind after I spoke those words. The thought brought a smile and I may have even heard myself chuckling.

Instantly, I understood that I was not God and did not have His attributes (namely, the big 3 Omni’s—Omnipresence, Omniscience, and Omnipotence). This one thought put a lot of things in perspective. Did I say “things?” I meant me. This one thought helped me see things in perspective.

I routinely have these kinds of “conversations.” Often while I am alone, I speak my frustration, anxiety, exasperation, anguish, joy, etc. I usually begin or end these conversations with, “LORD.” Whether I am aware of Him or not, He often “answers” me. This also reminds me of one conversation that I have repeatedly in which I cry out, “LORD, have mercy on me!” His consistent answer? “More than you know…”