Freedom From Worry

Why worry? Webster defines worry as to afflict with mental distress. To afflict with mental distress. A teenage son, who was away at college, sent his dad a telegram. The telegram said, "Dear dad, I've been in a serious car crash. I've broken both legs and both arms, and I'm in a hospital in a full body cast. Four people in the other car are seriously injured. Their attorney will be contacting you soon with a major lawsuit since I was in your car". And then he paused, and said, "Actually, dad, I've only failed out of college, and I'll be home tomorrow. Love, your son".

That's called mental anguish. I assure you, if that was my son, his mental anguish when he got home would be multiplied. Worry cannot change the past. Say that with me. Worry cannot change the past. But it can ruin the present. Worry will get you only one place ahead of schedule. And that one place is the cemetery. To worry about what we can't help is useless. To worry about what we can help is foolish. Take action and solve the problem and quit worrying about it. Listen to this. Worry means there's something over which you cannot have your own way, and in reality, is personal irritation with God. If God controls everything, and you are God's child, you have this problem. Maybe it's a seminar on how to trust in the Lord. Saint Paul made the most profound statement about worry the world has ever heard.

Let's read it together in Philippians 4:6. Ready? "Be careful for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God". Let's pray. Father, in the authority of Jesus' name, let the spirit of joy, the spirit of peace, the spirit of confidence fill this congregation and those who are watching across America. These are troublesome times in our nation. But the God of heaven is in charge of everything. Therefore, let us rejoice and be glad. And all of God's children said, praise the Lord. You may be seated. Listen at Paul's declaration, "In nothing be anxious". Say that with me. "In nothing be anxious".

This is one of my favorite verses. It has been, to me, as comforting as the pillow upon which I rest my head after a weary day's work. I have found it a strong staff upon which to lean when my feet were in a slippery place. I have found it to be a fortress in the day of battle. "In nothing be anxious". Now, how reassuring, how full of comfort. It's as tender as your mother's embrace. It's stronger than the raging storm that you are now in. "In nothing be anxious".

Don't worry. Our God is on his throne. Don't worry. He's greater than the giants that you are facing. Don't worry. He's greater than the sickness and the disease that's attacking you or a member of your family. He's greater than the problems that you are personally facing or that your corporation is personally facing. He's greater than the divisions that are separating your family. He's greater than the financial stress you're presently going through. Our God is a provider. Our God is the Waymaker. Our God is greater than demonic powers. Our God is the healer of broken hearts. Our God is the shepherd who knows the way. Our God is greater than the greatest. He's stronger than the strongest. He's higher than the highest. He's wiser than the wisest. He is the God of heaven.

Too many Christians are on their pity pot over things that have happened to them in the past. Don't worry about your past failures. God's grace is greater than your worst sin. God's grace is greater than your worst sin. God doesn't consult your past to determine your future. Don't worry about your marriage. If you and your partner will obey the Word of God, your marriage can go through the fires of hell and be saved. If you're living outside the Word of God, a thousand counselors, sex and money will not save it. People, who carry a Bible that's falling apart, have a life that's not. I'm going to say that again. People, who have a Bible that's falling apart, have a life that's not. How much do you read that sacred book?

Here's the Bible's penicillin shot for worry. "Casting all of your cares upon him: for he careth about you. Cast your burdens upon the Lord, and he will sustain you". Saint Paul said, "Rejoice in the Lord... And again, I say, rejoice". Rejoice by choice. "Be anxious for nothing". King David said, "This is the day the Lord hath made: let us rejoice and be glad in it". "The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid"? "Though a host should encamp against me, my heart will not fear: though war should be declared against me, in this will I be confident... That in the time of trouble, he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret place of the tabernacle, he shall hide me: he shall set my feet on the solid rock. My head shall be lifted up above my enemies," and the victory shall be mine, in Jesus' name!