Seed Thoughts

//Lynette Hagin

I heard this story many years ago: Steve was head over heels in trouble but doing little to help himself. A friend advised, “Steve, you’ve got two hands. Why don’t you do something?” “I am,” Steve replied. “I’m wringing both of them.” That’s humorous, but too often in the midst of  circumstances, we worry and wring our hands instead of adhering to God’s instructions in His Word.

Jesus commanded us in Matthew 6:25–27 (NLT), “ ‘That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?’ ”

In our life’s journey, one of the hardest pieces of luggage to shed is worry. It is a tough habit to break. When I’m tempted to worry, I always remind myself of the Apostle Paul’s example. Paul had many opportunities to worry, yet he remained focused on the One Who could deliver him.

Here are some keys that I have found to be helpful when I’m tempted to worry. The first is, rejoice in the Lord. We don’t rejoice because of the circumstance but in spite of it. We rejoice because we know that our God will see us through victoriously. Paul says it this way: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember,  the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:4–7 NLT).

Paul said here, “Don’t worry about anything.” Yet let’s look at Paul’s situation when he said this. Was it after a successful meeting where many were converted? No, Paul was a prisoner in Rome, chained 24 hours a day to a Roman soldier. He was facing possible execution. He had a marvelous opportunity to be worried about his future. Yet his letter to the Philippians is saturated with joy.

Paul determined that whatever circumstance he found himself in, he was going to rejoice and not worry. He controlled his thoughts—he didn’t let circumstances control them. Paul’s strategy for dealing with trying times that could bring anxiety, worry, and fear was to rejoice in the Lord.

The second key is, develop an unanxious attitude. The Amplified version of Phil. 4:6 says, “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything.” When asked why she was happy when she had not been happy on an earlier day, one little girl said, “Today I pushed my thoughts around, and the other day I let my thoughts push me around.”

Paul said not to be anxious about anything. But we want to categorize our concerns. We want to tell God what we will worry about and what we won’t. We might say, “OK, Lord, I won’t worry about what’s wrong with my dog. However, Lord, my financial situation—I just can’t help but worry about that!” Charlie Brown and Linus were talking one day. Charlie said to Linus, “I worry about school a lot.” He thought a little longer and said, “I worry about worrying so much about school.” After reflecting further he concluded, “My anxieties have anxieties!”

We can all identify with Charlie Brown. The enemy would love to fill our minds with anxieties. What is he dogging you about today? Concerns over your financial situation? Downsizing of the company you work for? Your health? Your retirement? Don’t let those thoughts push you around. Learn to develop an unanxious attitude.

The third key is, develop a lifestyle of prayer. Don’t panic—pray! Replace worry with prayer. Pray so much that worry has to take a number and stand in line. We are exhorted to pray about everything. Nothing is too big or too small to pray about. Acts 16:25 says, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” Instead of worrying, Paul and Silas chose to pray and praise. When they did, suddenly there was an earthquake and the prison doors were opened. Start praying and singing praises to God instead of worrying and the things that have imprisoned you will be removed.