Worry Simply Doesn’t Work

Worry Simply Doesn’t Work

by Rick Warren

“Don’t worry about anything …” Philippians 4:6a (LB)
“Worry works on us; it doesn’t work for us.”

Today’s devotional is by Tom Holladay, teaching pastor at Saddleback Church and author of ‘The Relationship Principles of Jesus.’

This is the time of year when reality hits. It’s a month into the New Year and you had all these goals for change in your health, your job, your relationships, and so far things look the same as they did in December.

If this is where you are today, if you have real problems and things aren’t working out the way you would like, you have a choice to make. You can either worry and wonder if it’s all going to fall apart, or you can choose to have faith and trust God.

We all struggle with worry in different ways. Some people sweat, some people yell, some people get really quiet. Do you tend to dwell on problems? Do you feel insecure about the future? Do you feel out of touch with God? Do you have physical symptoms of headaches, backaches, or a nervous stomach? Do you find it hard to accept defeat? Do you feel burned out? Do you find loose ends difficult? Do you constantly rehash events? These are all signs of worry and anxiety.

We like to think that worry works for us. It reminds us what needs to get done or it motivates us to get to the next step. But the truth of the matter is this: worry works on us; it doesn’t work for us. It will steal life and create relational difficulties. Until we get something that works better than worry, we are going to keep worrying.

How do you let go of anxiety? This week I want to look at the story in Matthew 8 where Jesus addresses the issue of anxiety and how to deal with it. And we’ll see how to address reality with faith.

God's valentine

God’s Valentine Gift

God’s Valentine gift of love to us

Was not a bunch of flowers;

It wasn’t candy, or a book

To while away the hours.

His gift was to become a man,

So He could freely give

His sacrificial love for us,

So you and I could live.

He gave us sweet salvation, and

Instruction, good and true–

To love our friends and enemies

And love our Savior, too.

So as we give our Valentines,

Let’s thank our Lord and King;

The reason we have love to give

Is that He gave everything.

anger management

Jesus, I have been traveling a lot lately and am exhausted. The problem with working to exhaustion is
1. I lose sight of my priorities, like YOU, family, “down time”, quiet time
2. I am more prone to losing control of my temper as I seem to have less patience, tolerance and peace. I have a serious problem w/ anger management, Especially when I am exhausted
3. I always eat too much when I am exhausted
4. I get depressed
5. I am more vulnerable to Satan’s tempations b/c my resistance is low
6. I am not as polite, gracious and generous with everyone
7. I curse more
8. I become negative which I hate most of all b/c when I am refreshed, rested and in a proper positive frame of mind I am extremely positive and see the “good” and bright side of most people and things
9. When I am tired and negative and angry I see the “bad” and dark side of most people and things….I hate that attitude
10. I don’t pray and talk to you nearly as often when I am exhausted

So, Jesus, it seems obvious to me that I need to try and get more rest and sleep the right amount of hours and at the right times rather than so late.

Praise to You O Lord Jesus Christ

love your enemy

I always cringed when I heard the phrase, “LOVE YOUR ENEMY.” when growing up. I assumed it was not really what they meant but some kind of “metaphor” or exageration to simply make a point. I hated the bully in school, those who made fun of me, or my family, some because they were so different from me I thought we had nothing in common. I didn’t actually think I “hated” them but I knew I didn’t “like” them b/c I thought they were weird! I thought I hated Russians when there was talk of war when growing up (I never met a Russian until college). I was jealous and envious of some who were better, more fortunate, more talented (not good looking, at least….??) and sometimes I found myself resenting them which bordered on hate or at least it seemed to at the time.

As I got older and started getting out in the “real” world and away from my 3,000 person town in S. Indiana (which really does have good, honest and Christian people, but we were all very much alike in many ways there) I realized there were a LOT more people a whole lot different than me with different beliefs, looks, languages, religion, skin color, traditions, values, backgrounds, orientations and so on.

As I got older I also started taking my religious beliefs more seriously and more literally. I was always amazed that Jesus could actually ask God to forgive those who crucified and killed HIM on the cross. Jesus said “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.”

The closer I got to Jesus, the more I realized if I was going to get to heaven, the more I had to act, think and respond the Way HE did. I started slowly looking at people I did not know, did not like, found their ways foreign even at times disgusting to me. There were various groups I had to stop and realize that my feelings alternated between dislike, disapproval and hate.

I have not yet achieved the level of love, forgiveness and acceptance of all God’s children HE wants for me but I know I am making progress. I try very hard to separate their actions, looks, words, and background from the Living Spirit in them that God Placed there in their soul. When I look for that Spirit, regardless of their actions and words, I find it “easier” at times to “Love my enemy.” “Enemy” in this context may not be a mortal enemy but could be anyone I don’t approve of, agree with or understand. If their words have harmed me, embarrassed me or insulted me, I try to separate the words from who they are. I was robbed once on a trip to Chicago in my early 30′s and I hated them for the longest time b/c they made me feel so helpless and defenseless. It is hardest for me to love others when their actions and words affect me personally or my family and friends.

But when I try to view everyone in much the same way that God views us all…..equal, the same inside, the same Immortal soul, with the same God the Father, All of us Children of God, the same equal choice to choose God and Eternity with HIM…that vision helps me screen away their actions and words and embrace everyone b/c we are all the Same in God’s Eyes. He loves us all. He expects me to do the same.

And I am committed to try and work towards that end.

Praise to you O Lord Jesus Christ.