Why pray when you can worry?

Why pray when you can worry?

Ebola!  It’s on our minds. The slide in the stock market worries some. ISIS makes war look more likely all the time.  And, then there is the stuff closer to home- sickness, troubled kids, job stress. So, are you feeling anxious?  

Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, had many reasons to be stressed. He headed an organization that was on college campuses nationwide. Vision always was bigger than funding. But, Dr. Bright was consistently a man of cheerful temperament, relaxed, and apparently beyond worry.  His son reports on the moment when he came to understand why his Dad was this way, even under pressure. It was an interview with a reporter from a Christian magazine.

"Dr. Bright," the reporter asked, "share with us a problem from your life that the average Christian could relate to."
"I don't have any problems" Bright replied.
The reporter pressed, "Don't over-spiritualize this. We all have problems."
"Young man," Bright replied, "you need to understand that I understand that I am a slave of Jesus. A slave doesn't have any problems. The only thing a slave has to do is what his master tells him to do. He doesn't have to be successful. When you really understand that, all the of the sudden, you don't have any problems anymore. All you have are opportunities to see God work."

The true antidote to anxiety is a radical choice of faith!  Again and again in the Bible, when God showed up to do something great, the first challenge He spoke was- “Fear not!”  It’s His invitation for us to get past our initial reaction centered around safety and security.  “Trust Me,” He says, “Don’t let fear take over.” 

The kind of faith that allowed Dr. Bright to live with serenity started before he made decisions. He chose to put God in charge - from the beginning.

Are you in a mess of your own making?  You can trust God for the wisdom you need to sort it out and get it right. He loves us even when we're dumb or sinful. James tells us "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind." (James 1:5-6, NLT)

Give yourself anew to the Lord. Say this out loud - "Lord God, I am your servant. I exist to do Your will, to fulfill your expectations, to carry out your purposes." Sum up the things that are making you impatient, that are keeping you awake at night, that make you weary from worry - write the list down.  Now, take it to the Lord and pray - "Lord, these are my concerns. I want to meet them in the way that You desire, for You know all my tomorrows, and You know what is best for me in the light of eternity." And then, leave them there. You can find peace - no matter the situation.

Here's a word from the Word to take with you today. ". . . serve each other in humility, for "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation." (1 Peter 5:5-10, NLT)

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