What, Me Worry?

Matthew 6:27
which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

There are several thoughts that come to mind when I read this verse spoken by Jesus:

1. The sovereignty of the almighty God who spoke the universe into being with whom nothing is impossible.

2. How insignificant we human beings are who can only fail miserably without God.

3. How we humans in our carnal state worry constantly about everything and think by worrying over everything we can come up with a solution to our worries and make it all better.

Deuteronomy 31:8
and the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee;
he will be with thee,
he will not fail thee,
neither forsake thee:
fear not, neither be dismayed.

Psalm 139:1-7 KJV
¹O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
²Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
³Thou compassest my path and my lying down and art acquainted with all my ways.
⁴For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
⁵Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
⁶Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
⁷Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

I love reading Psalm 139 and will usually read it in several different translations of God's word, especially when I'm going through times of trials and worry. When you find yourself there, try reading all of Psalm 139, meditate on the words and try reading different translations.

Let's be truthful, is there a single one of us who doesn't give in to the worries of the day? Yes we know the scriptures and yes we understand God is in control, but --- (there's that word again) --- 'but' we rationalize 'we can't help it.' We try going to prayer and giving it all to God "BUT" then we take it right back and continue to worry. Let's face it we humans in our carnal state are natural born worriers.

Do you think the One who formed you in your mother's womb, the One who wrote each day of your life in His book before one of them came to be, the One who knows every word on your tongue before it is spoken doesn't know how difficult it is for us not to worry?

Yes, He knows these things. It is by our day to day efforts to learn how to trust in Him and our day to day efforts to take everything to Him in prayer, that we learn to walk by faith and gain that perfect patience He wants from us. He is never early nor is He ever late; He will always bring about His perfect will for our lives in His perfect timing.

James 1:2-4 KJV
²My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
³Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
⁴But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

It is by recognizing our weaknesses and sincerely trying to overcome them that we learn and grow. We are stuck in a world that teaches us from birth on about 'instant gratification' also known as the 'get it all and get it now mentality.' This mentality works against the will of God for it is God's will for us to learn patience so that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

I have had several friends who told me stories about what happened when they prayed for God to teach them patience. It seems that is when all their trials and temptations began and they jokingly stated they would never pray that again. I made the mistake once of quoting James 1 to my friend and he hasn't spoken to me since.

Christian! Do you not realize this is God's will - for the trying of your faith works patience and its patience perfect work that molds us into the likeness of the Saviour, this is why James could say: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptation.; Jesus never promised us the Christian life would be easy, just worth it!!

Luke 21:19 KJV
¹⁹In your patience possess ye your souls.

In difficult times, when we can keep possession of nothing else, then let us make 'that' sure which may be made sure, and keep possession of our souls. It is by patience, Christian patience, that we keep possession of our own souls. 'In suffering times, set patience upon the guard for the preserving of your souls; by it keep your souls composed and in a good frame, and keep out all those impressions which would ruffle you and put you out of temper.'

So often I have heard it said, "Our mind is our own worst enemy." The things we can imagine in our minds when we are worried are almost always worse than reality. It is only by learning Christian patience that we can guard against those times when worries overtake us and put us in harms reach.

My prayer for each of you is that you will go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to teach you patience so that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. I promise the trials and temptations you will go through will be worth it as you become more like the Saviour and then you can say "WHAT, ME WORRY?"

Return To: