Worry Is

Worry. Anxiety. Fretting. The Bible explicitly instructs us to avoid these enemies. “Do not be anxious,” Paul writes in Philippians 4:6. “Do not worry,” Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:31. “Do not fret,” David says in Psalms 37:8. As I consider these admonitions I can’t help but wonder if any of the three were ever thigh deep in the murk of a muddy river with a poisonous snake (ref. Acts 28:3).

Worry is assuming responsibility for something that is God’s responsibility. He is explicit about carrying burdens that are not ours to tote. Yet, I find myself laboring under loads that I was never designed to carry. Is it any wonder that I struggle and ache inside when I stress myself beyond my Maker’s design and intended use?

God inspired David to state imperatively, “Cast your burdens on the Lord” (Ps. 55:22). Our Heavenly Father promises that His burdens are light in Matthew 11:30. Paul goes on to write in Philippians 4:6-7 that we are to pray about everything, and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard our hearts and our minds.

But even with all these exhortations and counsel from Scripture, I worry. Why?

My thoughts on this are the subject of my next blog. Until then....