Worry Wart Series

Worry Wart

Series: Melodrama or Mellow-drama - Act 1

Introduction:

In the drama of life, how do you respond?

There are many things that are beyond our control: the person that yells at us, the person that cuts us off in traffic, the store clerk that talks on the phone instead of helping us, the employee that never seems to be there, the spouse or child that pushes your buttons, etc.

Life is like a drama. We all have these crossroads in life.

But will our lives be a “Melodrama or Mellow-drama”.

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines a melodrama as “a drama with sensational action, extravagant emotions, stereotyped characters, etc.”

In other words, it is making something bigger than it really is or turning a situation into something emotionally extravagant. Sound familiar?

Richard Carlson in his book “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff...” writes “In dramatic fashion, we blow things out of proportion, and make a big deal out of little things. We forget that life isn’t as bad as we’re making it out to be. We also forget that when we’re blowing things out of proportion, we are the ones doing the blowing.” (page 147)

So where does this “Melodrama or Mellow-drama” begin?

Act 1, Scene 1: Worry Wart!

Act 1, Scene 1: Who is Worry Wart?

So who is Worry Wart? We probably all know Worry Wart. But who is he really?

Worry Wart is “anxious, troubled, etc., [lives in] a troubled state of mind, anxiety.” (taken from Webster’s Dictionary)

Rick Warren in his book Purpose Driven Life writes “If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate. Worry is focused thinking on something negative. Meditation is doing the same thing, only focusing on God’s Word instead of your problem.” (page 190).

Worry Wart is always negative. And that negative thought is natural for all of us.

Act 1, Scene 2: Why does Worry Wart Worry?

Many times Worry Wart worries because he plays the “What if?” game.

This “What if?” does nothing to solve a problem or make a situation better. It only causes Worry Wart to be bound up by worry.

The “What if?” is negative thinking about the worst possible situation and that thinking is part of sin entering the world.

Act 1, Scene 3: How to Defeat Worry Wart’s Worry?

How do we turn Worry Wart from a melodrama to a mellow-drama?

Matthew 6:25-34

Þ Worry Wart has a trust issue - Matthew 6:25

God can be trusted to take care of Worry Wart.

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

When we worry we are actually saying that God is not in control, but we are.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

Þ Worry Wart hurts today and solves nothing - Matthew 6:26-27

Ever notice that when you Worry Wart worries, doesn’t want to do anything today? Worrying about the future hurts our work today. Worry does nothing for us, it only takes from us.

Psalm 37:8-9 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret--it only causes harm. [9] For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.

(NIV) Matthew 6:27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

One of the biggest cures for Worry Wart is to get up and do something else.

Þ Worry Wart ignores God’s care and provision - Matthew 6:28-32

If Worry Wart knew that every need is met and God is taking care of him, why would he worry?

So when worry comes, Worry Wart needs to begin to focus on the positive. Focus on what God has done for us.

Pull out those mental markers of life when God worked a personal miracle.

Allow God’s goodness and provision for us before to consume our thoughts.

Þ Worry Wart keeps himself from God’s purposes - Matthew 6:33-34

Worry Wart cannot fulfill God’s plans and purposes for his life worrying about what may happen tomorrow.

So God’s plans for our lives need to be bigger than the problems that we face.

(NIV) Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This Scripture must become big on the inside of us; consuming our worry in God’s will for our lives.

Act 1, Scene 4: Conclusion

All of us face problems. The problems are not the problem, but how we internalize and handle those problems can be.

Illustration: Put the Glass Down

A lecturer was giving a lecture to his student on stress man agement. He raised a glass of water and asked the audience, "How heavy do you think this glass of water is?"