You Don’t Have to Worry!

Today people live with uncertainty.  Life as you know it has changed. Things you took for granted are no longer the norm.  As the school year begins, parents are expressing their concerns for the safety of their children in the school buildings. The school staff is also concerned about their health and the health of their families.  The education system has undergone change and people are worried.

In the work place, job status has also undergone change.  There was a shift in the value system during the pandemic. Before, many devalued the contribution of people who serve. So the cashier is the supermarket was not someone who was held in high esteem. Yet, people were grateful for their work ethic during the crisis.  These service providers, made it possible for many families to survive during the pandemic. And, people continue to worry.

The crisis saw many families and communities devastated by loss of life. The people you were confident would have been able to ride the storm of the virus, didn’t make it. Others you felt were unable to survive the storm, are still here. Now children are dying and people are concerned and they are worried. All over the world, people are concerned and anxious about has happened and what will happen in the future.  

What do you do in these turbulent times? Jesus knew that there would be days like these. In Matthew 6:25 He said. “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?” There are so many medical issues associated with excessive worrying. Worrying out of control can have a negative effect on your body. Over an extended period of time, excessive worrying can lead to high blood pressure and heart problems.

So how do you avoid worrying? Jesus had the answer for that in Luke chapter 12. As He addressed the people, He asked if worrying can add anything to their lives. Since it was unable to, He told them that is was useless to worry. In verses 27-28 Jesus said, “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

When David wrote Psalm 55, he was in the midst of political unrest. His son attempted to overthrow him and one of his trusted advisors defected and joined forces with his son. David began this Psalm with a plea for help because he was overwhelmed by his troubles. His situation was serious and intense. David wished for wings like a dove so he could escape his problems. The betrayal of his friend was real, but David chose to go to God in the time of his trouble.

In the end, David said, “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”  David learned that the way to deal with the anxieties of life is to give your burdens to the Lord. If you are facing anxieties in your life, you can give your anxieties to the Lord also.