Do Not Fear
This is one of the most repeated phrases by Jesus in the Bible – “Do not fear” or some variation. But so many of us worry, and worry and worry. I decided long ago as a child when I had to have a tooth pulled that worry was useless. What good did it do to torture myself with worry when either way I STILL had to have that tooth pulled. Might as well not think about it until it was actually happening.
That’s not to say I never worry, but I try not to let it take a front seat and mess up my day. But there are members of my family who truly paralyze themselves with worry, letting it destroy their life. And there are so many things you could worry about — and they do. What quality of life is that? I pray to you Lord to release them from their worry.
Here is one of my favorite Gospel passages about worry from Matthew, Chapter 6, that provides me with infinite comfort:
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall 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 one cubit 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 clothed 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?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.”
34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.”
If only we can put our trust in God, we can release all worry. “Do not be anxious about tomorrow.” Yes!
Another good read for worriers: “The Worrier’s Guide to the Bible” by Gary Zimak.
Thanks Lyn for the good reminder. I LOVE that Scripture verse.
I once read that getting stressed out and worrying is a lack of faith in God. He has every hair on our head counted but we sometimes act like he might not have everything under control. That was an eye-opening statement for me.
I am SUCH a worrier – generally. There’s so much that we don’t have control over. So much. This is what I needed to read today – so thanks, Lyn.
My takeaway verse: Matthew 6:25 ”Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on.
Pray for me!
Cristina
Praying for you! That is a great verse as well. That’s a good one especially when money is a concern.
Thanks for the encouragement, Lyn. I’m new to your site–found you through a tweet. Gary Zimak has another book about worry coming out this summer. I am also in the final stages of writing a book on the related subject of trust–Trusting God with St. Therese. Trust is a continual challenge.
Thanks Connie! I look forward to Gary’s next book and yours sounds wonderful. St. Therese is my confirmation saint so sounds right up my alley. Thanks for stopping by and commenting :).
Hi Lyn! I found you on Connie’s fb post 🙂 Nice blog, I’m going to browse around a bit, I love what I see so far.
I’m a fairly new convert myself, and so I can relate here on a couple levels…we even share a name.
Blessings to you today.
Lyn
Wonderful! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I can’t believe you spell your name the same — that’s rare, but it’s the best way to spell it of course ;-).