There Will Always Be Another Thing To Worry About

Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. Luke 12:27-30 (NIV) 

Looking back over my life I see a pattern of moving from one concern to another, always in some state of stress or duress because of circumstances. At one time it is grave health concerns, another time it is financial crisis, and yet again transportation challenges, or someone in the family is in dire need. It seems there is never a time without one crisis or another to focus upon. 

I do not believe the Lord wants us to be in a constant state of stress and worry. Indeed, He commands us not to worry and points out the folly of doing so. He knows that all our worrying changes nothing, and continual worrying is detrimental to us. But how do we break out of this worry addiction? After all, we have good reasons for concern and worry. 

The problem is that we will always have "good reasons" to worry, yet we also have better reasons not to worry. Setting aside how damaging constant worry is to our physical health and mental well-being, the most negative side of worry is that it is harmful to our spiritual health. Constant worry shows a lack of trust in God. Worry is lacking faith that God will take care of us, provide for us, defend us, and make a way for us through every obstacle and challenge that comes against us. Faith is the antidote to worry. 

When we put our complete trust in God, being fully persuaded in our minds that we have a Lord who cares for us, we need not worry anymore. He will do something about our problems and get us through our trials. When God is for you nothing and no one can be against you.

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. Isaiah 54:17 (KJV) 

That is our heritage. We have a heavenly Father who takes care of and defends His children as all good fathers do. He will no more stand back and let us starve, or let us be bullied and beaten up, than we would allow anyone to do that to our own children and loved ones. 

God always sees the big picture, and we hardly ever do. What absorbs us and fills us with dread today will be forgotten and left behind tomorrow. What seems like a looming mountain in your life today will merely be the path you walked upon and the dirt you shook off of your boots tomorrow. We do not walk alone, we do not face our problems alone, and we do not overcome them alone. 

It is hard not to worry about the many problems that arise in our lives. Our natural reaction is to be afraid of what we perceive as harmful or threatening to us and our loved ones. Yet we must broaden our thinking, expand our horizons to see beyond these momentary light afflictions (2 Cor. 4:17) understanding that everything passes in time, and soon what has worried us will be no more. 

Every day is an opportunity to worry or to trust in God. Our fears may loom large and try to absorb us into them, but we can and must resist, lifting our shield of faith, calling upon the Lord in prayer, and drive away our fears and the accompanying worry that would cripple us and distort our vision. Call upon the Lord in faith and chase away your fears through prayer and trust in the One who can do something about the things that would worry you. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us not to miss the opportunities that come our way to trust in you instead of giving in to worry. Help us to remember that what would torment us with fear today will soon be forgotten and put behind us tomorrow as we overcome our worries by trusting in You! Amen. 

Karlton Douglas  

Copyright 2017