What do we do with worry?

Photo by Diana Simumpande on Unsplash

I was inspired by this topic from the author and speaker Joanie Yoder. I thought it would be fitting for todays message to the Moms who have tuned in today 🥰

First and foremost I would like to dedicate this message in honor of Bishop’s mom who was only able to be his mom for 11 years, to you Bishop, Alma Jean Ransom who definitely passed way too early, as to all others who have loss their moms, mine included, and to the moms listening in on zoom this morning. Happy Mom’s Day!

I will call a couple scriptures later but for now allow me to say and I’m sure you all would agree that its rather difficult to ignore this monster we have been facing every day and for several months in our world, called Covid-19. I find that for myself, It’s very difficult to remain at all times worry free. I believe this has often been a challenge to women, and everyone by large. So let me just address it.

What is Worry? 

According to the dictionary, WORRY is to “give way to anxiety, or to allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulties or troubles.”

Bishop mentioned this in one of his messages a few weeks ago while addressing anxiety.

Joanie Yoder puts it this way. She stated that “when we worry, we are focused on possibilities that have not yet happened or are beyond our control. She says that When we worry, we are actually acknowledging the truth that is in ourselves, we are not adequate to meet the demands of life.”

I think we can all admit that during this time of this worldwide pandemic, something we have never experienced like this before, we can all say that at some point we have been worried. If nothing else, during those days of not feeling well, especially now during spring time allergy season. Weather you want to admit it or not,  I’m sure you have certainly thought about that question at some point in time.

Is this the Coronavirus?  Do I have Covid19?

Worry kicks into full gear,  panic emerges, you might even begin hearing the sound of your own heartbeat in your ears, and it seems to be worse at night, when times are dark and even more dreadful.

You may find yourself asking questions such as “how long will this virus last?, when can I visit family? When will I be able to go back to church?,  go back to work?, or how soon will it be before things get back to normal?

We find an example of this type of worrying just reported in the news among the

BUSINESS NEWS it was reported…..“Rita Trivedi, 63, of Hudson, Florida, was furloughed as an analyst at Nielsen Media Research on April 23 and has struggled to secure benefits from the state’s troubled unemployment system. She fears running short of money to cover her husband’s medical bills and other expenses. Here is what she said….

“I’m more than anxious, I’m more than worried – it’s ‘can’t sleep’ kind of anxious,” Trivedi said. “I’m just so tense thinking about these things and how to manage.”

Worry is real and it can become a stronghold; it can consume you if and when allowed.

Looking at it from a biblical aspect, Paul gives us these words of encouragement as to how we should deal with worry.

“Don’t fret (don’t do it!) don’t worry. (Sounds easy enough right?) But he gives us at least one easy tip…….Instead of worrying, pray.

Is that all you have to do? Not necessarily.   (This kind of praying has something added to it.)

“Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

Philippians 4:6-7 MSG

I thought about this, and recall while working with small children, using play-doh as a learning tool.

For a visual let’s think about taking a lump of play-doh and let’s call this worry.

Now I can hold it, look at it, dwell on it,  and as I do this, nothing changes, it’s still worry.

It does not change. Not until I do something with it! …….

Therefore let’s think about this for a moment. This praying involves petitions and praises.

Petition means to “make a solemn or humble appeal to a deity or superior.  It can also be a formal written request, typically one signed by many people appealing to authority, with respect to a particular cause.”

New American Oxford Dictionary

This kind of praying isn’t just…. “Lord I need my job back, so that  I can pay bills, or I need a new house.”

But just maybe, could this kind of petitioning be to ask how we might help others. Or maybe try finding out how to proceed next, and learning to praise God in the mist of  troubles.

When you put this kind of praying and praising into practice.

Paul then let’s us know that…..

“Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good,   will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”  Philippians 4:6-7 MSG

Joaine Yoder says you have to “remember who’s in charge!”

We hear this often and have probably said it many times to ourselves..”God is in control, God is all powerful.” And He certainly is.

But do we really trust and believe what we say?

I close with one of my favorite chapters in the Bible.

Please remember this; to worry, we are allowing our “minds to dwell on difficulties or troubles.

Therefore whenever you find yourself in a dwelling place of worry here is a one go to Psalm.

Psalm 91 AMP

“(She) who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand]. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust [with great confidence, and on whom I rely]!” For He will save you from the  trap of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you and

completely protect you with His feathers, And under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a wall. You will not be afraid of the terror of night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Nor of the destruction (sudden

death) that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But danger will not come near you. You will only [be a spectator as you] look on with your eyes And witness the [divine] repayment of the wicked [as you watch safely from the shelter of the Most High]. Because you have made the LORD, [who is] my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent.  For He will command His angels in regard to you, To protect and defend and guard you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. They will lift you up in their hands, So that you do not [even] strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and cobra; The young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because (she) set (her) love on Me, therefore I will save (her) ; I will set her [securely] on high, because she knows My name [she confidently trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never abandon ( her) no, never].  (She) will call upon Me, and I will answer (her);  I will be with (her) in trouble; I will rescue ( her) and honor  (her). With a long life I will satisfy  (her) And I will let ( her) see My salvation.”

Happy Mother’s Day, be blessed!