WE DON’T HAVE to look far to know that we are living in difficult times. The news makes it easy to worry and forget about God’s promises. It is important to keep our mind stayed on the Lord.
I once heard about a man named Ralph. He was head over heels in trouble, but he was not doing much to help himself. So a friend took Ralph aside to talk to him.
“Ralph, you have two hands,” the friend said. “Why don’t you do something with them?”
“I am,” he promptly replied. “I’m wringing both of them!”
Some of us might feel like Ralph. We might be in a situation where we’re confessing, “My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19), or “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Yet even though we are quoting the Word, we’re also wringing our hands!
Many Christians would never admit to worrying. They would say they are “concerned.” Whether we call it worry or concern, it’s really the same thing.
Thanksgiving and praise are Kingdom keys that open the doors to the courts of Almighty God.
STRESS AND WORRY CAUSE PROBLEMS
Stress and worry have become a way of life for many—even Christians. The enemy wants us to get so caught up in the cares of life that we stop concentrating on the Father’s business.
If we constantly worry instead of keeping our mind stayed on the Lord, we can open ourselves up to many health-related problems. High blood pressure, ulcers, and depression are only a few illnesses that can be caused by stress.
Someone said that worry is the interest we pay on troubles that seldom come. I don’t want to waste my time doing something that avails nothing. I want to go somewhere, not sit still worrying! And I don’t want to clutter my mind with things I can’t do anything about. I once heard someone say, “Worry is wasting today’s time to clutter up tomorrow’s opportunities with yesterday’s troubles.”
Worry can be a tough habit to break. Usually, when we allow ourselves to worry, the devil brings all kinds of imaginations to us. At times, it can be hard to quiet our mind.
We may have to force ourselves to focus on the things of the Lord. But we are promised peace when we keep our mind on Jesus. Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) says, “You will keep in perfect peace . . . all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
The Apostle Paul made this scripture a part of his life. It’s evident that he had many opportunities to worry. Instead, he chose to keep his mind on the Lord, put on the garment of praise, and magnify God no matter what he experienced.
Paul wrote the following when he was chained and in prison:
PHILIPPIANS 4:4–7 (NIV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul was facing execution when he wrote this. Yet, he refused to worry. His strategy for dealing with anxiety was to rejoice in the Lord.
DON’T WORRY; BE HAPPY!
One time my husband was given a replica of a fish that was mounted on a plaque. The fish was activated by motion. Every time someone walked by it, the fish sang, “Don’t worry; be happy!”
“Don’t worry; be happy” is a motto believers need to live by. Instead of allowing a spirit of heaviness to grip our heart, we must learn to rejoice in the Lord. And the Lord will provide us with a garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness (Isa. 61:3). When we rejoice in the Lord, we will have strength, peace, and happiness—no matter what the situation looks like. We don’t have to worry about anything. We only need to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord.
Whenever we’re in a tough spot, we must follow Paul’s example and rejoice. I understand that it may not be as easy as it sounds. When the bills are piling up or our body is wracked with pain, it’s natural to worry. Rejoicing in the Lord may not feel like the easiest thing to do, but it is definitely the best thing we can do in hard times.
GOD HAS BEEN GOOD TO US
King David is another example of someone who could have worried but chose to praise the Lord instead.
PSALM 13:4–6 (NIV)
4 My enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
PSALM 5:11–12 (NIV)
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Instead of worrying, we should follow King David’s advice and sing. Why? Because God has been good to us. He is the One Who can take care of any situation, and praising Him gives Him access to work in our lives.
Thanksgiving and praise are Kingdom keys that open the doors to the courts of Almighty God (Ps. 100:4). It can be easy to get caught up in our daily routine and neglect spending time with the Lord. When that happens, the cares of life will overtake us.
Whenever we encounter a tough spot, we should steal away and spend time with the Lord. Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28 NLT). It’s in the Presence of the Lord that we can cast off a spirit of heaviness and replace it with the garment of praise. God’s Presence is where we find fullness of joy (Ps. 16:11).
Our lives don’t have to be consumed with worry. We can confidently face the future and overcome any hardship. When worry tries to wrap itself around us, we can throw it off like a tattered garment. We can put on the garment of praise and watch the Lord turn our situation around!
Author
Lynette Hagin
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