A couple of
days ago I was walking with my neighbour down her lane which is used to run a
marina business. Needless to say, the
boaters like their services such as power and water. One of the boaters mentioned the water wasn’t
working, “Is there a water leak or something?”
That was it. Her mind was now on
one thing. “My basement is probably
flooded,” since we didn’t see a leak along the way. Though we walked quickly back to the house,
it is a long lane way and nothing I could say or do would relieve her worry.
I gave other
possibilities. I told her
probabilities. I reminded her that her
worries don’t usually come to pass.
There was no way for me to calm her fears. When we got back she was told there was an
outside leak and the water was turned off until it could be fixed. There was no flooding in the house. It really made me think about those few
minutes, how they stressed her body and mind, and accomplished nothing
good. “Heaviness in the heart of man
makes it stoop…” (Pr. 12:25) It didn’t
improve her life one bit. Of course then
it reminded me of all the times I worried in the past…
And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell
you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body,
what you will put on. For life is more
than food, and the body more than clothing.
… And which of you by being
anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Lk. 12:22-25 ESV
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not
as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither
let it be afraid. Jh. 14:27
We know these
verses but they usually don’t seem to help most of us. Why is that?
In my opinion the problem is when we try to NOT worry it only seems to get worse because then we are
thinking of our worries more often. So
what exactly can we do then? Well, we
can look to see what Scriptures say but often the applying of those verses
comes down to trust in the Lord- and the more we trust Him, the easier it is to
follow them.
So says Jehovah, Cursed is
the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs
from Jehovah. Jr. 17:5
Blessed is the man who trusts in
Jehovah, and Jehovah is his trust. Jr. 17:7
The righteous shall be glad in Jehovah, and shall trust in Him… Ps. 64:10
We can pray about the
issues causing worry remembering that God is a God of peace
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything
by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known
to God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Php. 4:6,7
Continue in prayer and watch in it with thanksgiving
Cl. 4:2
We can throw our burdens at the Lord’s feet. That means we stop carrying them ourselves!
Cast your burden on Jehovah, and He will keep you; He
will never allow the righteous to waver. Ps. 55:22
Therefore be humbled under the mighty hand of God, so
that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your anxiety onto Him, for He
cares for you. 1Pt. 5:6,7
We can share our
worries with a friend.
Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill
the Law of Christ. Gl. 6:2
But God will be our
Best Help.
…I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where shall my help come
from? My help comes from Jehovah, who
made Heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps
you will not slumber. Ps. 121:1-3
We can force our
minds to get off the worries ASAP and onto things which fall into
these categories (such as God’s past blessings, etc).
Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true,
whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things. Php. 4:8
When I am afraid I will trust in You.
Ps. 56:3
And may the Lord of
peace Himself give you peace always
in every way…
2Th. 3:16