Worry, when you stop and think about it, never accomplishes anything. It is one of the most destructive forces in the universe. “Which of you by worry,” Christ asks, “can add a single hour to your life (Matthew 26:7 NASB)?”
So, “Why worry? Be happy!” as the song goes. That may not be Bible but it is good advice, and illustrates that even commonsense dictates that worry is a useless enterprise. So, again, why worry?
Worry, for the Christian, is a sure sign of mistrust. What it says in acts speak louder than words is that God is not to be trusted. His grace, of course, depends on you doing your part. We cannot blame God for our foibles, nor our lack of faith. Yet, some do. “Why me, God?” is the usual mantra. This you hear over and over again when around a doubter. It’s their comfort food, mentally. They nourish on it. The problem is, it’s poison to the soul.
Doubts are like a secret whisper campaign put on by the Devil, and when that takes full effect a crippling worry sets in. It weakens us until we become so lethargic spiritually that we are a drag not only on ourselves, but on others as well. No one likes to be around a grump, even the grump himself.
Like Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh nothing is ever right, or at least not up to his expectations. Doubters slump around second guessing, everything and anybody, including God. The glass is never half-full, and what little water that is left in it is slowly leaking out through some imaginary hole.
Now, I am not talking about reality here, it all imagination. We must be realist. Realists, however, take positive steps to remedy the problem. When that is not possible, then they stand on the promises of God. Paul in that vein said, “after you have done everything to overcome, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:13).” Nothing wrong with that kind of stubbornness. It beats doubt and worry any day.
One may look at a rose bush and see roses, another the thorns only. The choice is ours. As Chuck Swindoll once said, “Life is all about attitudes. Pick a good one!” The beautiful part about an attitude is that a choice is always there, even for a crusty old codger or a persnickety old lady. The choice is there. The spiritual whines are not the answer—that’s for sure!
To cloak doubt and worry in a prayerful whine will only acerbate the problem. God’s not really interested in your whines. He much prefers your worship. As a matter of fact, worship will generally take care of the whines.
Worship is therapeutic. It cleanses the soul. Washes the dirt of doubt and worry away. Refreshes us in ways that really, as Paul said, are beyond our comprehension. So, pray. Pray in the spirit. Such prayer is medicine for the soul (Romans 8:26-27).
So, may I encourage us, as Paul encouraged Timothy, to not neglect the gift that is within us (Ephesians 4:14). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was given to us primarily for just this purpose.
Transparency is good, so in light of this I must say that this was written in the middle of a good cry—yes, nothing unmanly about crying, standing vulnerable before God. Old age is not a game for sissies, and when you get my age and look the grim reaper in the face of that prospect as you struggle through the snares of old age, helplessness can set in. That’s a fact. His promises, however, are for strength for the day, and hope in the face of uncertainty.
This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad therein.
Now, have a blessed and cheerful day!
JimR_/
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