01-Worry? Why?
Worry / Anxiousness – why? – when? – how? – outcome? – purpose?
Worry is sometime one’s favorite profession. Maybe not, but for the amount of time one spends in that state of ‘worry’ it must be their inclination. Is there an acceptable time for worry or does it bring a positive outcome? Does worry have a purpose of value when it brings physical and psychological consequences? The main question might be: Is worry or being anxious a Christ-like involvement? What does Jesus say about worry?
From the scriptures we learn that God wants His children preoccupied with Him and not just with the everyday things of this world.
From the Scriptures we learn that God wants His children preoccupied with Him and not just with the everyday things of this world. Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Therefore, worry would interfere with this plan as we’d be so involved with self and the concerns of life. Christ said he’d provide the necessities according to Matthew 6:32 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ “
Therefore, worry would interfere with this plan as we’d be so involved with self and the concerns of life. Christ said he’d provide the necessities according to
The “goodness of God” is the essence of our faith. When worry enters it becomes a ‘denial’ of it (our faith). When one is in the ‘worry mode’ it reduces their worship to those who worship blind, deaf and powerless idols. When we allow ‘worry’ to take over in ourselves then we act as false worshipers who bow and pray for rain to a wooden god.
How do we consider things when it comes to our career, materialism, pleasure, and power? Do we fret about reaching the top of the corporate ladder? Are we anxious that we don’t have the latest fads or gadgets? Is our concern that we are missing the flashing pleasures the world offers? These can be ways we are behaving becomes anxious in our spirit. This anxiousness distracts us from listening to the still voice of God.
From: “A Fresh Word for Today” – B. Gass:
The other day I was really stressed out over something when I heard a minister say, “Worry is a lack of trust in God.” Then I started worrying over the fact that I was worrying! Someone else said, “Just don’t worry about it.” Sounds simple enough, but I come from a line of descendants who speak faith but show fear. Maybe you’ve met them!
Then a friend came up with this novel idea: “Why don’t you try this ‘worry coupon?’ It entitles you to worry as much as you like, but only if: a) it will feed and clothe you; b) it will add to your life instead of taking from it; c) it will make tomorrow better; and d) you don’t mind acting like the pagans do.” Point taken.
Then he said, “If that doesn’t work, make a list of all the things that you’re worried about, put it in a box, and then put it up on a shelf somewhere. If God is either unable orunwilling to take care of you, you can always go get the box back and start worrying again—but at least give Him a chance to work on your behalf! While you’re waiting, pray, stand on the Word, and don’t give your worries a voice.”
In order to see how Bible Software can assist us in out study of the Bible below is taking the Greek word “μεριμνάω” that is translated “Anxious” in Matthew 6:31
Strong’s Greek #3308 1. merimna (μέριμνα, 3308), probably connected with merizo, “to draw in different directions, distract,” hence signifies “that which causes this, a care, especially an anxious care,” Matt. 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14; 21:34; 2 Cor. 11:28 (rv, “anxiety for”), 1 Pet. 5:7 (rv, “anxiety”). See anxiety.¶ Note: The negative adjective amerimnos (a, negative) signifies “free from care,” Matt. 28:14, rv, “we will … rid you of care,” kjv, “we will … secure you” (“secure” lit. means “free from care”); 1 Cor. 7:32, kjv, “without carefulness.”¶
This diagram donut shows the Greek word and the way it has been translated most often as “anxious”, but sometime as ‘care’ and other times as ‘concerned”. Used 19 times:
Note the next chart where it take the ‘blue’ area and shows the English Word “anxious” and the Greek Words with their specific meanings are applied.
Most frequently it is used to mean: “have anxiety; care for”
Lease frequent: “be anxious beforehand” and “free from anxiety”
Here are the 17 of 19 times used:
Consider it in parts of speech:
What is meant is that we need to fully trust our God and it would dispel anxiety. To trust Him means we know Him and the more we know Him, the more we will trust Him.
The complete text that Jesus spoke about not being anxious:
Matthew 6:25–31 (ESV) Do Not Be Anxious
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
Matthew 6:25 Do Not Be Anxious 25 e“Therefore I tell you, fdo not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:26 26 gLook at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. hAre you not of more value than they?
Matthew 6:27 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his ispan of life?7
Matthew 6:28–30 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, jeven Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, kO you of little faith?
Matthew 6:31 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
References:
Anxiety Attacked – John MacArthur
Bible Study using Bible Software series: