Worry

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas is starting a series called "7 Deadly Emotions". The first deadly emotion is "Worry". He used Matthew 6:25-34 as his reference scripture.

“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss (WORRY) about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.

Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Has anyone by fussing(WORRYING) in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." - Matthew 6:25-34 (Message Translation)

None of us are immune to "WORRY". Jesus was preaching to Believers. Even Believers worry! I know that's hard to believe, but its true! The Apostle Peter encouraged his readers by writing, "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately andcares about you watchfully." 1 Peter 5:7 (Amplified Version)

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, "Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." Philippians 4:6 (Message Translation)

Worry is defined as "tormenting oneself with or suffering from disturbing thoughts". The enemy uses "Worry" to choke, strain, suffocate, and distract us.

Don't worry about things you can change! If you can change it, change it!

Don't worry about things you cannot change! God's "mercies begin afresh each morning". Lamentations 3:23 (New Living Translation) Take life one day at a time!

Praying for you! Love, Cynthia