Nov. 9, 2015

The Problem Of Worry

After reading the November 5th Blog, my God Daughter commented she wanted to see 2 subjects addressed...worry and forgiveness. Forgiveness was their topic during her latest Bible study. I am honored she asked for my thoughts, we will deal with worry first.

Webster's Dictionary defines worry... to think about problems or fears : to feel or show fear and concern because you think that something bad has happened or could happen...to make (someone) anxious or upset : to cause (someone) to worry. 

The Thesaurus say's...an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble. These of course are our human frailties and concerns because they are what we deal with everyday. Some of the friends of worry are anxiousness, apprehension, burden, concern, fear, nervousness and uneasiness to name a few. 

We will go to Church Sunday morning, hear tremendous sermons and songs that get us on that emotional high we need to be ready for what the world has for us. But after the good cry, prayer and praise we walk out of service carrying the same burdens we walked in with because in our minds, satan has us thinking God can't or won't do anything with this mess you are in.

God not doing anything about your problems is a trick of the enemy. Fear or fear not is mentioned 164 times in the Bible. Be of a good courage is partnered with fear to remind all who read, it is a natural reaction and a human trait to worry about things but it's a show of our faith to believe God's Word as truth. We are to believe all of what the Bible say's because when we do, God is pleased. Hebrews 11:6 KJV  

God told us to fear not because He will work out whatever causes us to worry, all we have to do is believe Him or have faith. Hebrews 11:1...Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. We have been conditioned to believe when we go to our jobs and work the required hours needed to get money, the job will give us the money or get paid. That is faith.

Granted, in todays world one can say I don't know if we will get paid or not due to the instability of the market, we may not be able to close on our home because we don't have enough down payment, someone is better than I am at this job and I might lose it, this relationship I am in is worrying me because we are so different, the doctor's report is due this week, I am so worried about his diagnosis, this business idea can't get off the ground. These are perceived reasons for worry.

When God say's don't worry it is because He isn't concerned about the markets or it's volatility, the money is His anyway. The cattle on a thousand hills are his and so are the hills that the 1,000 cattle are on. God gave you the job even though you did't qualify for it, in God's economics obedience is the downpayment for the house, God made your body and one Word from Him and you are healed.  

When our faith grows we become aware of God's Divine caring for us in the Spiritual realm. 2nd Kings chapter 6 is the story of the prophet Elisha and his servant. The king in his "I'll show this prophet who is who" moment, sends an entire army to bring the prophet before him. The servant of the prophet looks out of the window and is worried because his eyes saw the kings army surrounding the house they were in. Elishsa however was calm because He knew his God would never leave him helpless and prayed that God would open the eyes of his servant. God did what Elisha prayed for and when the servant looked out the window again, he saw what the Bible describes as chariots of fire between them and the kings army. The chariots of fire was God's host protecting the prophet.

God is our refuge and strength a ever present help in time of trouble...Psalm 46:1 KJV but you must believe it. Have faith in His precious promises and enjoy life's journey being mindeful of the reality John 14:1...let not your heart be troubled, ye be in God, believe also in me...John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

God Bless You

Elder Thomas W. Burgess