How many of you have a song going through your head right now?
Sorry about that. Okay, not really. As annoying as a certain song has become over the years (especially given how often it’s been used and misused for commercial purposes), it’s got a decent message. Don’t worry! It’s even Biblical.
This is what Paul has to say in Philippians 4:6…
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And Paul isn’t the only one who says stuff like that. Jesus Himself urged His followers to not worry as well, encouraging them to emulate the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.
It’s a nice sentiment, but it’s hard for us to carry out. After all, it’s much easier to be a world-class worrier.
You know how it is. You try to let it go, not worry, but then you remember that big project you’ve got going at work, one that you might not be able to complete by deadline. What would happen if it doesn’t get finished? Could they fire you? Where would you get your money then?
Oh, that’s right! What about that stack of bills that’s been sitting by the phone for the past couple of weeks. You totally forgot about those! How many of them are overdue? Things are tight enough budget-wise as it is. You can’t tack on anymore late fees!
And wait, didn’t the kid say something about a school project being due this week? She needed something to finish it on time, but GAH! Why didn’t you write down what it is? You don’t have time to stop by the store to look for whatever it is!
How many of you are close to hyperventilating?
While no one likes to worry, we all wind up doing it, and I think that’s because of the “positive” message that worry tries to weave into us. We only worry because we think we can be in control. We are the decision makers, the ones who are in charge, people who craft success or failure on our own. Of course we need to worry! That comes part-and-parcel with being the boss!
That’s why it’s such a good thing that Paul shares the antidote for worry in that verse from Philippians. The cure for worry is prayer, pure and simple.
Prayer is more than just handing over a laundry list of wishes to God with the expectation that He will hop-to and do what I say. Prayer is really about entrusting our burdens to God with the expectation that He will take care of us. It’s saying, “God, this is really weighing heavily on me right now. But I know You have taken care of me in the past and You will continue to do so in the future. So I’m letting go of this into Your hands. I’ll let You do the worrying for me.”
So don’t worry, friends! Let God do that for you!