Don't Worry!

By Pat

Another winter is here, and although we have been blessed with a mild one so far, it's far from over. I have a good friend who detests cold weather, and especially snow, and she watches the weather forecasts each day, practically holding her breath, just to make sure no winter storms are headed her way. She frets and fusses from November till March, and though the occasional snow storm does come her way, she gets very little snow. So in the end, all of her worrying and waiting has been, for the most part, for nothing, and all she has really done is to rob each day of the joy it might have held. Her days are wasted and she has failed to see the lovely parts of the winter season.

I have also ruined many days of my life worrying, mostly about things that never happen. I think we have all been guilty of that. As soon as the dark clouds of life begin to roll in, we start worrying, and in so doing, we weaken ourselves and find that we are unprepared for the actual storm if and when it does hit. We forget that sometimes storm clouds blow the other way, or even dissipate and so we worry, usually needlessly.

Instead of anticipating problems that may never happen and hiding from the storms of tomorrow, we need to prepare ourselves so that, no matter what comes our way, we're ready. We need to put tomorrow out of our heads and rejoice in today, remembering that most of what we waste our time worrying about never happens anyway. If we live our lives in a proactive way, we need never fear tomorrow. We need not worry if, instead of infesting our heads with concerns, we fill them with Jesus. Pray and praise, find pleasure in each day, each moment. And be grateful. Use your spare time to further your walk with God. Trust Him. The One who holds you now will hold you always, so why worry? Stock up for your storms with Jesus, and you will always be prepared. Don't worry!

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27)..."Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

God Says..."Cast all your cares on me."

By Jason V (Ponderings of a Pilgrim Pastor)

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

As a husband, father and pastor, I face the constant temptation to worry.  At our church, with our church members and leaders, in our home, in my marriage- everywhere I face almost constant fears and anxieties.

I am tempted to worry about my children: Will they grow up to love the Lord?  Will they fall into trials and temptations that seem to plague so many “pastor’s kids”?  Have I messed up in my parenting? Am I too restrictive? Am I too permissive?

I am tempted to worry about our marriage and our household: Will we have enough money to pay for all of life’s expenses? Am I spending enough time with my wife?  Am I showing her how much I love her?  Is she feeling pressured and overwhelmed by the task of being a “pastor’s wife”?  Am I praying for her as much as I should?

At church, I am tempted to anxiety at every turn: Did the visitors like our church?  Was my sermon really any good?  Will our church grow?  Will giving increase?  Will we meet our budget?  Are our people really growing spiritually?  Are we reaching our community?  Should we be doing more?  How can we?

If I tried to carry the weight of all of these concerns and expectations, they would crush me.  Honestly, on some days, I carry too much and I do feel overwhelmed.  So what am I supposed to do?

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Why Worry?

By Pat

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)

Worrying is one of the most difficult things we Christians wrestle with, usually on a daily basis if we're honest about it. Some days have few, but on other days we are overcome with situations that cause us to feel overwhelmed, burdened and far from God. Finances, health, jobs, families, children, and direction in our lives...these are just a few of the issues that we worry about and deal with. We do worry about tomorrow; the fear of the unknown. We try not to, but it's hard!

And so, I remind myself that no matter what tomorrow holds, God is already there. I am thankful for God's promises. I have given my cares to God, and no one can handle them better than He can. I praise God for blessings yet to come, strength that will be provided, wisdom which will be given when needed, and peace that is there for the taking. I praise God for His promise that I never walk alone. I praise God for darkness that will become light and rain that will change over to bright sunshine. I thank God for His wonderful gift of salvation, love that never fails, and the peace that passes all understanding. Indeed, why should I worry?

"You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall." (Psalm 18:28-29)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.