Just a few years ago, The Onion published a satirical story about a man who almost had fun:
Marshall Platt, 34, came tantalizingly close to kicking back and having a good time while attending a friend's barbeque last night before remembering each and every one of his professional and personal obligations, backyard sources confirmed. While he chatted with friends over a relaxed outdoor meal, Platt was reportedly seconds away from letting go and enjoying himself when he was suddenly crushed by the full weight of work emails that still needed to be dealt with… an upcoming wedding he had yet to buy airfare for because of an unresolved issue with his Southwest Rapid Rewards account, and phone calls that needed to be returned.
Platt, who reportedly sunk into a distracted haze after coming to the razor's edge of experiencing genuine joy, fully intended to go through the motions of talking with friends and appearing to have a good time, all while he mentally shopped for a birthday present for his mother… and made a silent note to call his bank about a mysterious recurring $19 monthly fee that he had recently discovered on his credit card statement.
“Everything's fine,” said the tense, mentally absent man whose girlfriend asked him what was wrong after his near-giddy buzz vanished and he remembered that he hadn't called his aunt yet to check up on her after her surgery. “I'm having fun.”
According to sources, Platt tried to put his responsibility-laden thoughts out of his mind and loosen up… but suddenly remembered a magazine subscription that needed to be renewed by Friday, a medical bill he thought might now be overdue, and the fact that he needed to do laundry by tonight or he would run out of clean socks and underwear. (The Onion, "Man On Cusp Of Having Fun Suddenly Remembers Every Single One Of His Responsibilities," 5-30-13)
Some people just can’t enjoy life, because they’re worried about so many things. Perhaps, that describes some of you. So what can you do to alleviate the stress? What is a good antidote for anxiety? What can you do to conquer worry?
Well, I think we can learn some lessons from Joseph’s brothers in the Old Testament. They’re in a high state of panic after they returned from Egypt. They were like a bunch of backwards country bumpkins going to the big city, which was intimidating enough. But then they had to beg to buy grain from a powerful Egyptian ruler, who accused them of being spies. He took one of them as prisoner and demanded that they bring back their youngest brother to prove the veracity of their story. There is a severe drought in the in the land and now they have to go back to Egypt to buy more food.
If you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to Genesis 43, Genesis 43, where we pick up the story and learn some important principles about coping with stress.
Genesis 43:1-7 Now the famine was severe in the land. And when they had eaten the grain that they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little food.” But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. But if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’ ” Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?” They replied, “The man questioned us carefully about ourselves and our kindred, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ What we told him was in answer to these questions. Could we in any way know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?” (ESV)
Do you sense the anxiety in their words? Israel and his sons are afraid. They’re afraid of starving to death. They’re afraid of losing their little brother, and they’re afraid of appearing again before this powerful Egyptian ruler who took one of them prisoner last time they were there.
Genesis 43:8-10 And Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice.” (ESV)
In essence, Judah offers his own life for his brother’s life. That’s what he means when he says to his father, “I will be a pledge of his safety” and “Let me bear the blame” if he dies. He’s desperate. He knows they’ll all die anyway if they don’t get any more food.
Genesis 43:11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. (ESV)
These were delicacies probably not found in the land of Egypt. You see, Israel is eager to appease the anger of the mighty Egyptian ruler, hoping against hope that he won’t take his youngest son, as well.
Genesis 43:12-14 Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man. May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” (ESV)
It’s as if Israel is resigned to the worst fate possible. He fears losing his family, and his sons fear losing their freedom as they go to Egypt.
Genesis 43:15-23 So the men took this present, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin. They arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.” The man did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph’s house. And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house, and they said, “It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys.” So they went up to the steward of Joseph’s house and spoke with him at the door of the house, and said, “Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food. And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us, and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.” He replied, “Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. (ESV)
Simeon was the brother that was taken prisoner the last time they were in Egypt.
Genesis 43:24-25 And when the man had brought the men into Joseph’s house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there. (ESV)
They’re hoping their gifts will appease this mighty Egyptian ruler, but they still don’t know what to expect. They’re afraid like many people today.
The Unisys Security index surveys more than 13,000 people in 13 countries to measure anxiety about issues like national security, disasters or epidemics, and personal safety. The most recent survey (2017) shows that levels of U.S. anxiety jumped sharply since the last survey in 2014, and came in at the highest levels since the surveys began a decade ago.
A Unisys senior vice president says, “We definitely have seen a huge spike over the last three years.” Another expert added, “It appears that our cloak of security, the impression that we had that we are more secure than the rest of the world, is starting to fade.” (Tim Johnson, "Pass The Valium: U.S. Anxiety Levels Climb Faster Than Rest of The World," Miami Herald, 6-20-17; www.PreachingToday.com)
These are uncertain times, so how do you find peace in the midst of such uncertainty? How do you alleviate the anxiety in times like these? Look again at Israel’s words in verse 14. As he sends his sons off to Egypt, he says to them, “May God Almighty grant you mercy…”
Israel is recalling what his own father had said to him years before when he left home for the first time, running from a brother who had threatened to kill him. Israel’s father, Isaac, had said, “[May] God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you…” (Genesis 28:3). Israel is also recalling what God himself told him when he returned home to Bethel more than 20 years later. God told him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 35:11).
Israel is remembering his “God Almighty,” and that’s what you need to do to overcome your fears. Realize that God is the Almighty One, able and willing to care for you, His child. Recall that your Heavenly Father has the power and the desire to protect and provide for His own.
REMEMBER THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL.
Dallas Willard (who lost his mom as a young child) writes about a little boy whose mom had died. He was sad and lonely, especially at night, so He would come into his father's room and ask if he could sleep with him. Even then, the little boy could not rest until he knew that his father's face was turned toward him.
“Father, is your face turned toward me now?”
“Yes,” his father would say. “You are not alone. I'm with you. My face is turned toward you.” It was only then that the little boy could rest. (John Ortberg, "God Is Closer than You Think," Dallas Willard Center, accessed 4-28-17; www.PreachingToday.com)
My dear friends, your Heavenly Father’s face is turned toward you right now, so don’t be afraid any longer. He is God Almighty (El Shaddai), and He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5).
Please, remember that! If you want to alleviate your anxiety, remember that God is faithful. More than that, if you want to win over worry…
REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE FORGIVEN.
Realize that God no longer holds your sins against you. Recognize that there is absolutely no condemnation for all those who are depending on Christ.
You see, Joseph’s brothers were scared, because they didn’t know they were forgiven. They thought God was out to get them, and that he was going to use this powerful Egyptian ruler to do it, but look at how Joseph treats them.
Genesis 43:26-30 When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. And he inquired about their welfare and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves. And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there. (ESV)
Joseph is moved to tears at the sight of his brothers, and especially at the sight of Benjamin, his youngest brother. This is an answer to Israel’s prayer in verse 14, when he said, “May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man…”
The word for “mercy” literally means “brotherly love” and comes from the Hebrew word for womb. Those who have shared the same womb have a special relationship, and this word speaks of that relationship. Well, that same word is used here in verse 30 where it says Joseph was “deeply moved” at the sight of his brother. Literally, his brotherly love grew warm; it made him tender towards his brother, so much so that it made him weep.
Genesis 43:31-32 Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, “Serve the food.” They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. (ESV)
There was a definite “pecking order” in Egyptian society back then. The rulers ate by themselves, because they didn’t associate with ordinary people, and no ordinary Egyptian would ever eat with a foreigner.
Genesis 43:33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement. (ESV)
They were astonished, because this Egyptian ruler seemed to know so much about them.
Genesis 43:34 Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him. (ESV)
Literally, they drank and got drunk with him. They were having a great time together! Joseph feeds them from his own table, which was a special honor in those days, because they were being fed royal food. These foreigners were being fed the food of kings, an honor that very few Egyptians themselves enjoyed.
You see, Joseph was not out to get them. He had already forgiven them, and now he wants to throw them a party. He wants to honor them as royalty, because that is what they are as his brothers. Oh, if only they had known that they were forgiven, they wouldn’t have been so afraid.
How about you and me who know Christ? Do we sometimes forget that we have been forgiven and so live our lives in fear during those times? Please, if you want to overcome your fear, then remember you are forgiven as believers in Jesus Christ.
The Bible says, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Christ paid the price for our sins on the cross. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Those who have put their trust in Christ fear no condemnation from God, because He has already judged their sins on the cross. There is no double jeopardy with God. In other words, we don’t have to fear being judged twice for our sins. They were already judged on the cross, so we will not be judged for them again. We are forgiven!
And now Christ Himself wants to throw us a party and treat us as royalty, because that is what we are as His brothers and sisters. The Bible says, “We are heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). So don’t be afraid any longer, because you are forgiven and dearly loved!
The famous and luxurious Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina, was originally owned and managed by George and Edith Vanderbilt, an elegant couple known for their exceptional treatment of their rich and famous guests. But they were also known for the way they treated their staff. For example, there’s the story of how George Vanderbilt treated a young employee named Bessie Smith.
Smith was a teenager when she began working at the Biltmore, and she was intimidated by its opulence. On her first day as a server, she walked into the house's grand banquet hall and, startled by the vastness of the room, dropped the tray of monogrammed china she was carrying.
George [Vanderbilt], a professorial figure with dark hair and a slightly curved moustache, rose from his chair as his guests looked on, wondering what this great man was going to say. But he didn't say anything. Instead, he got down on his hands and knees and helped her pick up the shards. Then he told her, “Come see me in the morning.” Bessie Smith assumed she was going to be fired. Instead, [George Vanderbilt] promoted Bessie to housekeeper, so she wouldn't have to carry such heavy dishes. (Leigh Ann Henion, “Biltmore Insider's Tour,” Our State North Carolina, March 2011; www.PreachingToday.com)
That’s the kind of man he was, and that’s the kind of God we serve. When we mess up, He doesn’t condemn us, no! Because of Christ, He promotes us! He uses us for His glory!
That’s what grace and forgiveness are all about; and if you have never experienced that kind grace, please trust Christ today, who died for you and rose again. Trust in the One who loved you even while you were still a sinner.
And if you have already trusted Christ, please, let this truth grip your heart: YOU ARE FORGIVEN! Stop waiting for God to fire you, and let the truth of your forgiveness drive away your fear, for the Bible says, “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
The point is: God loves you! God is not out to get you. God is out to give you the riches of heaven when you trust in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Please, don’t ever forget it. For if you want to overcome your fears, then you must always remember: God is faithful, and you are forgiven.
I am loved, I am loved, I can risk loving you
For the one who knows me best loves me most.
I am loved, you are loved – Won’t you please take my hand?
We are free to love each other – we are loved. (William J. and Gloria Gaither)
