Why Worry?
Why Worry?
Jason Lapp
April 1, 2020
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Luke 12:25)
I have thought about this verse often in my life, but particularly in the last week or so. I tend to be a person who worries, so I need to be reminded of the truth. The reason I worry is simply because I think I should be in control of my life. Moments of worry reveal a lack of trust in God. Worry says, “I need to control everything that happens.” God’s word says, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Ps. 115:3). Faith says, “Since God is in control, I don’t need to worry but I need to trust him.” God knows all the days of our lives. He knows what we need, and he will provide. He graciously gives us the birds and the flowers to remind us that he will provide the things we need (Luke 12:24, 27).
Worry gives us nothing aside from something to do. As the saying goes, “Worry is like a rocking chair; it gives us something to do but gets us nowhere.” Worry does nothing except reveal a heart that does not trust God.
Paul helps us with a cure for our worry at the end of his letter to the Philippians: “The Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:5-6). Paul says rather than worry we should pray. We should plead with God about situations or circumstances that come our way that may produce worry. Talking with God shows our dependence upon him. We are dependent, but we worry when we want to be independent.
Paul also says we should come with thankful hearts. Thanksgiving requires us to see all the ways God has been faithful in our lives. If we were to think about God’s faithfulness, we would not have time to worry because our hearts would be so overwhelmed by his goodness to us.
Notice Paul finishes by saying, “let your requests be made known to God.” How much does God want to hear your requests? He sent his son into the world to die on the cross so you could have access to his throne of grace. Don’t ever think God does not want to hear from his children (Luke 11:1-13). It cost him the life of his Son for you to be reconciled to him.
When moments arise where you are tempted to worry, stop and pray. If you think that sounds simple then you would be correct. It is simple, but it is not easy. Sadly, we would rather worry than stop to pray. May I encourage you, as I encourage my own heart, to ask God to remove moments of distrust and seek his forgiveness for the times you fall into worry. Jesus says, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
Jason Lapp - Elder
Jason Lapp
April 1, 2020
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Luke 12:25)
I have thought about this verse often in my life, but particularly in the last week or so. I tend to be a person who worries, so I need to be reminded of the truth. The reason I worry is simply because I think I should be in control of my life. Moments of worry reveal a lack of trust in God. Worry says, “I need to control everything that happens.” God’s word says, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Ps. 115:3). Faith says, “Since God is in control, I don’t need to worry but I need to trust him.” God knows all the days of our lives. He knows what we need, and he will provide. He graciously gives us the birds and the flowers to remind us that he will provide the things we need (Luke 12:24, 27).
Worry gives us nothing aside from something to do. As the saying goes, “Worry is like a rocking chair; it gives us something to do but gets us nowhere.” Worry does nothing except reveal a heart that does not trust God.
Paul helps us with a cure for our worry at the end of his letter to the Philippians: “The Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:5-6). Paul says rather than worry we should pray. We should plead with God about situations or circumstances that come our way that may produce worry. Talking with God shows our dependence upon him. We are dependent, but we worry when we want to be independent.
Paul also says we should come with thankful hearts. Thanksgiving requires us to see all the ways God has been faithful in our lives. If we were to think about God’s faithfulness, we would not have time to worry because our hearts would be so overwhelmed by his goodness to us.
Notice Paul finishes by saying, “let your requests be made known to God.” How much does God want to hear your requests? He sent his son into the world to die on the cross so you could have access to his throne of grace. Don’t ever think God does not want to hear from his children (Luke 11:1-13). It cost him the life of his Son for you to be reconciled to him.
When moments arise where you are tempted to worry, stop and pray. If you think that sounds simple then you would be correct. It is simple, but it is not easy. Sadly, we would rather worry than stop to pray. May I encourage you, as I encourage my own heart, to ask God to remove moments of distrust and seek his forgiveness for the times you fall into worry. Jesus says, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
Jason Lapp - Elder
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