Worry Wart

I have a tendency to be a worry wart. When worry sets in for me my solution to overcome this is to read the Word of God.

Specifically James 1:2-12 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.⁷That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position but the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

In Bob Marley’s song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” he makes a very interesting statement:

“In every life we have some trouble,
when you worry you make it double
don't worry, be happy”

Worry can cause other physical, spiritual and mental issues. Bob’s statement that when you worry you make it double is a very true statement. Worry causes stress which can result in depression, ulcers, disease to name a few.

Worry is our bodies warning indicator that we aren’t putting God first in our lives. Trouble and difficulty come to everybody. Sickness, suffering, disease and death afflict both rich and poor. Life is not fair! Life isn’t fair for all of us though, so technically then, life is fair.

James chapter 1 speaks of the problem of difficulties and troubles in our lives. These difficulties can force us to ask some dangerous questions… “Why me? Why now? What am I doing wrong?” James tells us to consider these trials as “Pure joy!”

Huh? Joy in problems?

James uses the word “Whenever” you face trials. He didn’t say, “If you face trials”; or “for those who face trials” but “whenever” you face trials. That’s includes everyone! He also says, “Many Kinds”. They may involve the pain of a lingering illness or an untimely death. Some know the heartache of a broken marriage or a short-circuited romance. Trouble may come from a rebellious child or an alcoholic loved one. Some struggle with problems in business or with health. Others combat lingering depression or habits that seem unbreakable.

But James says that trials are the evidence that God is at work. Paul agreed with this in 2 Corinthians when he stated, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all”.

A few years ago, I was living in a garage and a rent check away from being homeless. I worried about when my next meal was going to be; if I was going to run out of gas in my truck and how to pull myself out of this hole that I dug.  But I persevered and through faith in God’s plan for my life, I climbed out of that hole. Why did God allow this to happen in the first place, you may ask? Spiritual Maturity and maybe, just maybe God was teaching me to not to look at my circumstances.

Our goal as growing Christians is spiritual maturity. We don’t seek troubles, but we rejoice in them because their dividends are greater than the discomforts they bring. If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us. If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to ‘count it all joy.’

James doesn’t say “grin and bear it”, nor does he tell us to just give in or give up. He makes four suggestions for dealing successfully with trouble. Live joyfully; live expectantly; live submissively; and live humbly.

But you have to “live” with your eyes and heart on God…FIRST!