Articles
Worry, the Black Cloud
We live in a world of uncertainty. It attacks us at every level of life, from youth to old age, and from minor irritations to major complex issues. It brings anxiety, fear and frustration. When we don't have control of things, we worry. Some people are able to let things roll off their back and go on with a smile.
Others, like me, (the fixer), always feel like we need to do something to improve the situation. We walk around in agony over big things and worrisome over the smaller ones, always looking for the answer or at least some way to make it better. But what about the things we have absolutely no control over?
It's my firm belief, that even though I'm wired to be a "fixer", God doesn't want me to worry, big or small. Scripture tells us not to worry, as worry doesn't fix anything. So where does that leave us if we can fix something, are we to ignore what we can do, if we are able to fix it? It is my belief that we are not to neglect to fix what we can, but that we need to let go when we are unable to affect any change, letting God take care of it.
As we follow the example of Paul, and fight the good fight daily in anticipation of our eternal hope, we can lean on God before, during and after we see these hurdles in life. “Do not worry about your life” (Matthew 6:25) and “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad” (Matthew 5:12) But even Paul admits that he had "deep concern for all the churches" (2 Cor 11:28). I'm confident he addressed this in any physical way he could, and certainly through prayer. We too, ought to physically fix what's fixable by us, and pray to God for direction, wisdom, and answers to the rest.
“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad” (Proverbs 12:25). “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6, 7).
Luke 12:22-31 is a long passage about worry, and the futility of it. That passage ends with "BUT, seek His kingdom, and all these things (the things we need for life) will be given to you as well".
Don't let worry make today a cloudy day, when the sun is shining otherwise.
