Not to Worry

In a previous post, jesusontheroad.com/dont-worry-about-tomorrow, I wrote that God wants us to give all our worries to him.

Right now, as Cyclone Alfred approaches the Queensland coast, I really need a reminder not to worry. And I don’t think I’m the only one!

Our home is in the line of fire. We aren’t there to make preparations, because we are 2000 km away in Tasmania. We have contacted our house sitters to tell them to make a priority of their own safety.

We’ve had emails and text messages from our insurance company and our power supplier. We’ve had several emails from the real estate agent who manages a family property warning about the imminent dangers. Schools have closed on Thursday and Friday and Sunday church services cancelled. Even the Ash Wednesday service was cancelled. News bulletins, even down here in Tasmania, have the coming cyclone as their headlines. Lots of people seem to be very worried.

We’ve never lived through a cyclone, so we don’t know what to expect. And we’re not going to be there this time. There is nothing we can do, so we worry even more. 

Here in Tasmania, lots of other Queenslanders are travelling around. Many of them also have homes which may be affected by the cyclone. We have heard lots of comments about how people are feeling. “All you can do is … watch the news; hope for the best; watch and wait; wait and see.”

I reply, “All we can do is pray.”

Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life … Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? … Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  

Matthew 6:25, 27, 34 (NIV)

God isn’t saying that we shouldn’t take precautions. Nor should we be blasé and careless.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

God is telling us to cast (throw forcefully) our anxiety on him. He cares for us and wants to take our worries. Mmm. Sometimes, perhaps often, I’d rather keep my worries to myself. Sure, I’ll tell the world about them, but to throw them to God, perhaps not.

It’s interesting that verse six in the quote above says to “Humble yourselves.” The opposite of humility is pride. Am I too proud to cast my worry to God? Is it my PRIDE that stops me giving (actually throwing) my anxiety to God?

Wow! That’s something different. I don’t consider myself to be a proud person. And I certainly don’t think that I’m proud of my anxiety. But I have said, “I can’t help worrying; I’m only human; that’s a worry; I’m worried about…”

God tells us not to worry.  Jerry Bridges, in his book Respectable Sins, respectable-sins-jerry-bridges  calls worry and anxiety a sin.

God hasn’t promised that there won’t be storms and cyclones in our life. In fact, He has said the opposite.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. 

John 16:33 (NIV)

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you that you have all things under your control. Forgive me for not trusting you with all my worries. Forgive me for my pride, thinking that I am in control of my life.

Right now, we are worried about the coming cyclone. We pray for your protection of homes and properties. We pray for the homeless and those without adequate shelter. May they find suitable places of refuge during and after the cyclone.

We thank you for meteorologists, emergency services, the media and communication workers, local governments and all those who work to keep us safe.

Please use this situation to draw us closer to you and your protection and care. Help us to trust you in all things, no matter what happens. 

Help us to point others to you, when they are anxious about Cyclone Alfred, and all the worries of this world.

Thank you that you have overcome the world, and all its troubles.

We pray for your peace that makes no sense, in whatever we may have to face in the future.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

What about You?

Are you worried about Cyclone Alfred?

What other worries can you share?

Who or what do you trust with all your worries?