What does it mean to worry?

As a Christian, what does it mean if we worry?

What does worry actually mean?

I discovered today that worrying simply means putting yourself above God.

Are you shocked? Well, that is the simplest meaning: Putting yourself above God.

Usually when a person worry, he or she is thinking about how HE/SHE can help himself out of a situation. Then I ask you, “Where does God stand in this? What is the place of God in this situation or in your life generally?” Someone may say, ‘Well, I know that God is all powerful, but I have to do this. I CAN do this.’ etc. Well, yes you can, but how about involving God? He doesn’t get tired solving problems, nor does He get tired stepping in for his children. He loves you, and that is all that matters. You needn’t do anything for him to love you. Like a hen, and its chicks, as long as you are God’s child, he is going to embrace you with His wings. All that you have to do is to stay in there. Under his wings (presence) is like the Garden of Eden; everything you need for life and abundance is there. Out in the world is chaos and smoke. You will get choked and suffocate.

What is worry? According to my phone dictionary, worry means to be troubled, to give way to mental anxiety or doubt.  

What does the Bible say? “It is not by strength that one prevails [1 Samuel 2:9]; apart from me, you can do nothing [John 15:5]; therefore I tell you, DO NOT WORRY about your life [Matthew 6:25]…; so do not be afraid, you are WORTH MORE than many sparrows [Matthew 10:31]”

You know that every word the Lord gives us is for our benefit. Right? Jesus telling Peter to come on the water wasn’t to drown him, but for him to have a good experience if HE WILL BELIEVE. When he did, he walked on water. But when he saw the boisterous wind, and began to look within himself (his experience as a fisherman, his knowledge about boisterous winds) he began to sink.

When God gives you a word, it is for your experience. Let’s look at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these 3 men of God were faced with the issue of being burnt in a furnace of fire. What did they do? What did they say? Let’s take a deep look at what they said: Daniel 3:17-18 “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. BUT EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that WE WILL NOT SERVE YOUR gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Someone may ask, “How hot was this furnace?” Let’s look at Daniel 3:22: The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.”

The King of Babylon was a very powerful king. Like your ‘problems’, he had control over a lot of territories, he was spreading in power, he was mighty. But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew something which was more powerful than the King of Babylon. It was the Word of God. God’s Word is Him in writing. These 3 men knew and believed in their God more than the trouble (blazing furnace) before them. They even said, “Even if God does not save them… they weren’t going to bow to Babylon’s gods.” This statement implies that they were willing to trust God even if their trust in God doesn’t yield any result. They will rather die trusting God, than live/be spared WHILE NOT TRUSTING GOD. This is tough place to be, but IT IS POSSIBLE!

The doctor says your child is dying, but you trust God’s word which says, “You shall not die, but live to declare the works of the LORD.”

Your rent is due, but you believe the God whose Word says, “My God shall supply all my NEEDS according to HIS RICHES IN HEAVEN in Christ Jesus.”

People hate you and don’t want to talk with you, but you believe the Word of God which says, “For God so loved the world (you) that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever shall believe in him will not perish, but have everlasting life.”

When you worry, you put your strength and your abilities above God’s Word, and God himself. By worrying, this is what you say through your actions, “God, step aside. I got this. I have to figure this out.” Meanwhile, His word which he spoke to create this world says that without him, YOU CAN DO NOTHING! So if you are worrying, you are bound to fail in whatever you are worrying about. Because without God (His word_ “Do not worry”) you can do nothing.

Now someone may ask, “If I don’t worry, what should I do?” Rejoice… I say REJOICE.

Let’s look at it this other way: Do you think God is a neglectful father? Do you think you are a neglectful father, such that even though you have the ability to meet your child’s need, it gives you much pleasure to watch him suffer, and be in pain? Are you such a father? I hope not! So if you, a human being, made from dust, corrupted with the imperfection of this world knows how to give good gift, and care to your child, how much more a PERFECT GOD? Or is it because you don’t know the Word of God concerning your situation? Or is it that you don’t TRUST God really even though you are a Christian? Or do you think you are rich enough to solve all your problems? Even if you are rich enough, and your money can cover you, how easy and restful is you trusting and relying on God to step in? That cancer needn’t drain your bank account. That problem needn’t steal your joy away. Instead of worrying, see God as your Father, and say, “Thank you Father for meeting my needs according to your riches in glory thorough Christ Jesus. Thank you for taking care of me, and seeing me worth more than many sparrows. Thank you for stepping in to this situation of mine. I know you are bigger than it, and I believe that this issue, like Jairus’ daughter death is for me to see your glory, not for me to get hurt. I trust you. And even though I can’t see what you are doing at the moment, I STILL TRUST YOU. I believe that if you allowed Jesus to die on the cross for me even when I didn’t deserve it, you will do exceedingly and abundantly more now that I am your child. I believe you Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Luke 8:47: “While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. ‘Your daughter is DEAD’, he said. ‘Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”

Luke 8:48: “Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, ‘DON’T BE AFRAID; JUST BELIEVE, AND SHE WILL BE HEALED.”

Luke 8:53-56: “They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, ‘My child, get up!’ Her spirit RETURNED and AT ONCE she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.”

God only responds to His Word. Worry isn’t his word. So no matter how much you worry or act emotional, it won’t bring the solution. Rather, find the Word of God concerning your situation and HOLD ON TO IT by FAITH. “Without Faith you can’t please God. Without Faith, God can’t help you: ‘Matthew 13:58_ And he (Jesus) did NOT do many miracles there because of their LACK OF FAITH.”

In simple terms, worrying is putting yourself above God. And in so doing, you will only crush. Instead of worrying and not having results, why don’t you rather hold on to God’s Word with integrity, even if you don’t get results?

May I tell you one testimony: At the onset of Covid-19, I told my boss that the Bible says, “By His stripes I WERE healed.” Thus, even if I get infected with Covid-19, I have been already healed. My healing has been paid for, so I wouldn’t try to protect myself or anything. (I don’t know where this idea and courage came from. I just said it to him and dared to live on the Word) Would you believe it if I told you that I lived the whole 2 years of Covid-19 period without any infections? Of course the devil tried to scare me with cough and headaches to see if my heart will be FEARFUL at that, but I stood on God’s Word, that if I will fail unless God’s Word fails. Now, Covid-19 is gone, I didn’t test positive or anything. As a matter of fact, I even forgot that Covid-19 was in existence. I only remembered it when I went to places which demanded I wear a nose mask before service can be rendered to me.

I say this to mean that God’s Word works. God’s Word is Him, and He is his Word. Like a King, he doesn’t go back on his Word. If a mere Persian King, King Xerxes found it difficult to revert his own word, how much more a perfect and sovereign God? Stop doubting my dear. Doubting and worrying is of the devil. The devil’s place is under your feet. Don’t let him climb up to your head (mind). No! Use the Word of God to rebuke him [Romans 12:2].

The LORD be with you, and WORRY NOT!

Amen.