On Sunday, September 22, 2013 we listened to the Discover the Word team as they discussed what Jesus said about our catalog of worries. Most of what we worry about are things we cannot control. Since worry touches each of us it was interesting to listen to each other as we talked about the kinds of things we worry about, the intensity of our worries, and how each of us deals with worry. Is there a difference between "worry" and "concern"? Yes. Worry seems to be an unproductive process that drains our energy, provides no reward, and keeps us from trusting God to provide His best for us. Concern seems to be an exercise that allows us do something about the problem that is concerning us. In that way, it can actually be productive. Haddon Robinson says that when he wakes up at 2am in the morning with something on his mind he quickly evaluates whether or not he can do anything about the situation. If not, he rolls over and goes back to sleep. This is very insightful, and not a bad test! “Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:25-34). Here is the link to the discussion: discovertheword.org/2013/08/20/discover-what-jesus-said-about-our-catalog-of-worries/
Posted on: Sun, 29 Sep 2013 02:02:41 +0000