Worry Worry Worry

WORRY, WORRY, WORRY

LUKE 12:22-34

INTRODUCTION… www.experienceproject.com

I was perusing the internet this week and found experienceproject.com that has an entire section of the website called “I worry too much.” Worry must be one of those universal emotions and conditions that all of us deal with.

Rodwali: Yes, I worry too much, and I admit that I don't really like it. Although I know worrying is useless, but still can't tame my worrying nature! It all started when I was 9 and lost my dad, I was worried every single night because I was afraid to lose my mom as well and it scared me. Now I am 30 years old and sure life much harder and it leads to more worry! Sometimes, I just try to calm myself down by I wondering why I waste my precious time worrying about things that [are] totally out of my control.

Luci: I am a worry wart! I stress over everything. I wish I could just realize that nothing is perfect and to just let everything take its course. But I can't! I feel that everything needs fixed and I have to be the one to fix it. Knowing what a headache I'll get I go ahead and take the initiative to get it done. Even if it's not my responsibility. I also have a problem accepting help and yet I consider myself to be lazy. Need to work on that one. Right now I'm worrying about the last touches on my wedding and how my daughter is going to react to not being around her parents for 5 days. and how my mom is going to hold up taking care of her for 3 of those days. She's a complicated child. Ouch, the headache is starting already!

LiquidFire89: I worry ALL THE TIME about the stupidest little things: work, school, friends, relationships, family, home, sex...everything you can think of, I've probably worried about it.

Silvertears: Bills, will I have enough money to pay them all and still get groceries? Kids, will I be able to raise them right? Will they grow up to be good, happy adults? My husband, is his cholesterol to high? Is he gonna die to young because he doesn’t take care of himself? My mother, will she ever give me unconditional love? Did I make some one mad by saying something wrong? Are my friends really my friends? Everything worries me. It always has and it always will. I am the epitimy of a worry wart. So much for a stress free life.

I think that these folks and their thoughts and their confessions about worry sum it up well. We worry about a great many things. Our worry comes from many sources: fear of the unknown, the unpredictability of life, unmet and unrealistic expectations, and a whole host of issues. I think “worry” is one of those issues that if you have a pulse, then you deal with it. That means statues, robots, vampires, and anything else that isn’t alive doesn’t have to deal with worry, yet we do. We are fortunate that we have a Savior who lived life just like you and I. In fact, Hebrews 4:15 tells us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet was without sin.” So just for kicks, let’s say we take a look at what Jesus said about worry and apply that to our lives. He is our Savior! He is sympathetic to us! What does He say?

READ Luke 12:22-34

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.