By Pastor Anthony L. Scott
Worry has been defined as “a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind until it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.” Someone else has said that ulcers are caused not by what you eat, but by what is eating you. Yet again, worry is like a rocking chair; it will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus gives us a cure for worry and anxiety. Worry and anxiety are twin evils used to undermine our faith in God. If our hearts and minds are distracted and undercut by the cares and concerns of this world we become double minded and unstable, whereas Jesus desires our single focus.
Our Savior stresses that life is more important than things. He is not saying we should not have anything. He is however warning us to refrain from getting our priorities and focus set on the wrong things. It was Victor Hugo who said,” have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones, and when you have finished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake!
We overcome worry by ceasing to give into worry. Begin to conquer anxiety by turning the faucet of anxiety off. We overcome worry by taking everything to the Lord in prayer. Conquer your worry by talking to God about everything. We can over come worry by expecting God’s peace. I encourage you to conquer anxiety by anticipating the peace of God.
There is a story told of a four year old girl who had to endure a painful shot. When she learned what the doctor was about to do, her face became full of anxiety and noticeable fear. As the doctor picked up what appeared to be a needle large enough to kill an elephant, she turned her eyes to her Father. He then took her hand and set his eyes on her. Immediately an expression of confidence and calmness came over her. She knew she was not alone and found comfort not in her Father’s spoken answer but in his presence with her in a time of trial. During times of care, stress, and worry, remain still and feel the presence of God.
