Like A Tree Planted By Water

Why Worry?

Do you want to hear something crazy? Think about all the time and effort you spend worrying. And how much has that time and effort of worrying accomplished? Probably nothing. Worry does not accomplish anything except to turn more hairs from your scalp grey at a much younger age than is warranted.

When I say worry, I do not mean some person that is intrepidly frozen and biting their nails for hours. Although in a similar way this would accomplish nothing in the world. What I mean by worry is that incessant ability to not trust God. Why do we do it? Not trust God? Why don’t we simply trust Him like Moses did through the Red Sea? Why do we not trust Him as David trusted Him to shield and protect David from his enemies, Saul, and Absalom?

Honestly, I do not have the answer to this. Although I have been fighting this battle for years. I have learned that God is good and that He gives good gifts to those who seek Him and who ask from Him. I also know as Augustine found true, “Our souls are restless until we find our rest in Him.”
So, here is my idea: what if we replaced worrying and fear with seeking and trust? Where do we find God when we seek Him most? How about in His Word?
The word is prophetic and is there in our time of need. While the word has been given thousands of years ago, His word is eternal. His word endures forever. His word never fails. Have you ever read a scripture verse and in that very moment realized, “This is exactly what I need right now?” That my friend is the prophetic word of the living and loving God coming to meet you where you are in your time of need (2 Peter 1:19) . God does this to care for us. If we had no need for God we would be independent sovereigns in our own little universe. But we are not that. We live in God’s created universe. We are to abide in the presence of our Maker and Redeemer and in so doing we find that hole amazingly filled: we are satisfied in Him. We have all we need in Him. We have all we want in Him. And when we desire something so desperately that we worry and fear about that item, we have lost our focus from our great Shepherd, Jesus. The Shepherd provides all that the sheep need. In Christ we have all that we need. Listen to these verses:

“Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!”1 Corinthians 4:8

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32

Some may ask what is “the kingdom”? Great question! The kingdom of God, as given by the Father to those in Christ the Son, are all of the promises of God in Christ, which are yes and Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20) . This list is so wide and deep that time would fail to mention all of the things included. But for starters we have been given adoption into the Family of God (Romans 8) . Adoption means that we are entitled to all of the privileges of the Family of God. We are forgiven, declared righteous, reconciled to God, set apart to God, being made like God, given His Holy Spirit as a friend and internal witness to us that we are children of God. These are elements of the kingdom that God has lovingly and graciously given to us in Jesus our Savior. Does daily food and water come with the kingdom? You bet! No one shall thirst. Does clothing and shelter come with the kingdom? You bet! He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty and is covered by His mercy and grace. We have residence with the Father and the Son now in His presence and in His house (John 14:23) . Plus, He is building a more perfect house for us once we step through the passageway of death and to the other side (John 14:3) .
Think also of this: He parted the Red Sea. He preserved Daniel from voracious lions. He sustained Jonah in the belly of the great fish. He gave sight to the blind, healed the lame and the deaf. He raised the Synagogue ruler Jairus’ daughter, the widow of Nain’s dead son, and Lazarus by speaking the word of life into existence. What makes you think He cannot also provide for your every need?
If you cannot control it don’t worry about it. If you can control it praise God about it, If you are unsure of the difference pray and seek God about it.

One final thought:
It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. The caveat is that you are actively and passionately seeking Him and His kingdom. Do not seek the world and ask for God’s kingdom. In the words of CS Lewis, “Aim for heaven and you will get the earth thrown in. Aim for earth and you will get neither” (The Joyous Christian) . Our worries flee when God is first in our hearts and lives.
Rededicate your life to Him today and He will lavish His love and mercy upon you and make your way fruitful, productive and satisfying. He is a good good Father.

Lord we praise for You for being Faithful and True and for meeting our every need. Change our desires to Your desires that we may seek You and Your kingdom all the days of our lives and that we may find our rest in You. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.