“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:34
Worry is a problem brought about by our relationship to the things of this world and of this life. It does not matter whether one has an abundance of worldly goods, or the lack of it, both conditions lead to worry; no one is immune from this vexation.
Worry can be considered as a failure to apply our faith; however, delving further into this problem reveals that worry is in itself a definite entity, a tremendous power that grips and takes control of us. It is an active force, and failure to recognize this facet can lead to defeat. It is almost similar to a personality that takes hold of us, in spite of ourselves, and keeps arguing with us. It leads to this curious perverse condition where one almost does not want to be delivered from it. Worry has an active imagination; it can conceive all sorts of strange eventualities and possibilities and by its power, transports us into the future, making us troubled by things that are purely imaginary.
How can we address worry?
First, consider what the Lord said about the folly of being anxious: worrying about the future is utterly useless because it achieves nothing; it is a pure waste of energy, and its threatened calamities are hypothetical, uncertain, and may not happen at all. Moreover, the result of worrying about the future cripples us in the present; we hamper our effectiveness today, and therefore diminish the totality of our effectiveness with regard to the future.
Second, Jesus says every day must be lived in and of itself, as a separate unit. Each day has a quota of problems; we must not add tomorrow’s quota to today’s, or it would be too much for us. We are to live each day to the maximum.
Third, just as we compartmentalize our lives into each twenty-four hour period, we are to apportion our whole relationship to God in the same manner. Oftentimes we fall into the jeopardy of believing God for the whole of our lives, but not believe Him for the particular segments in our lives. We must learn to walk with God daily, rely on Him daily, and take things to God as they arise.
Fourth, we are to apply our faith. Just as the psalmist talked to himself and reasoned with himself, we are to talk to ourselves and to our faith; we shake and remind ourselves about our faith in God. Furthermore, a large part of faith is just rejecting anxious thoughts, refusing to be burdened by worry because we have cast our burden upon the Lord.
May the Lord give us the wisdom and grace to carry out these principles to cease from worrying, enabling us to rejoice in Him every day of our lives.
*** Reference: David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “Studies in the Sermon on the Mount”, Martino Publishing, CT, 2011, pp. 146-157.
*** Photograph: Storm Watchers by Jean Winters Olkonen
lilies, sparrows and grass 
Really liked the third point. I’ve never quite thought of it like that.
Thank you for posting this!
Thank you, Terrie. Yes, I like the third point, too, and I need to practice it more especially during challenging times.
Reblogged this on YOU DECIDE and commented:
Great Post 🙂
Thank you very much! Have a blessed day!
A liberating message — straight from God’s heart! Thanks so much!
Thank you very much, Susan. Blessings to you!
Thank you my sister for this exhortation today.. a word is season!
Paul
Thank you, brother, I am glad this post was a blessing to you.
Great photo and word.
Thank you, Lilly!
Hi Dee…
Solid, practical and wise advice that we all should follow day by day, moment by moment. We cannot rejoice in the Lord and hold onto worry at the same time…the two are mutually exclusive. Yet, even when things are bad, we are commanded to rejoice in Him. Why? Because even our rejoicing should – and must – be rooted in our faith in the Lord’s deliverance and promised kindness to us. And, faith in our Savior should leave absolutely no room for worrying about the bad things that ‘might’ happen to us. As it’s written, “If God be for us, who [or what] can be against us?” Thanks for this timely blessing, Dee!
Lester
So very well said, Lester. Indeed we are to rejoice in the Lord for the new life and so great a salvation He has given us. Blessings! Dee
Thank you Dee for the great truths you have spoken, and for reminding us that we are all weaklings, and as such, at one time or another, fall prey to this great temptation – worry. I think that a constant “walk with the Lord” will set us free from all worldly cares!
Thank you, Joan for visiting my site and for your lovely comment. Yes, truly, a constant “walk with the Lord” will set us free from all worldly cares.
Amen and Amen!
Blessings to you!
Reblogged this on atranquilplace and commented:
Very Inspiring…
Thank you so much for reblogging. I pray that the post will be of value to many hearts.
You are most welcome. It certainly inspired me.
Enjoyed your post worry is not what Jesus died for us to have. Fear is “False Evidence Appearing Real” we must stay in the word of GOD when trauma hits. We must stay in the word of GOD when are life is calm. The bible is the only way I can navigate this thing called life. 🙂
I have not heard that acronym for fear before. Thank you for sharing. Yes, the Bible is the only way we can navigate this thing called life! Thank you for visiting my blog, and God bless you!
Joyce Meyer teaches this
That’s so wonderful! The Word truly is the source, the map for living on this planet!
Needed this again today. 🙂
Oh I am thankful the words ministered to you again. Will whisper a prayer for you, too! 🙂
. . . and my prodigal. 😦
Yes, will do, Lilly! Peace and God bless!
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I remember talking with a nine-year-old son of a pastor years ago. He looked at me and asked, “Isn’t worry a sin?”
I would definitely say that worry is non-faith. And I would say that non-faith is sin. “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”
Hi Tim, sorry for the delayed response. I agree that non-faith is sin when measured against Hebrews 11:6, and many times I am personally convicted because of worrying. God bless you! Dee
Boy, do I need these words! Thank you, dear Dee!
Thank you dear Ellen! I need to remind myself of these words every once in a while. I am so glad this post touched you. Blessings, Dee