Wasting from Worrying?

I'm not usually a worrier.  I tend to be a "go with the flow" kind of person. Most of the time.  In the past I've worried about what people think of me...but, I've been delivered from that stinkin' thinkin'! :) And just ask my husband:  I have tended to worry, at times, about finances....but...again, I try to just lay that at the foot of the Cross when that thought pattern begins.....

I do have friends who confess to worry, stress, and anxiety.  Some of these friends are in my small group that I lead. Some are friends from work or the neighborhood....One time I was listening to someone go on about her worries and at first I was a little impatient when listening to her share about her worries....I wanted to empathize but it was difficult because the things that she was worrying about, in my opinion, were no big deal.  But then the Lord grabbed ahold of my heart and I realized "wait.  These worries are HUGE to her.  Who am I to think otherwise?"  This got me to praying for her.  And to other friends who have shared with me in the past that they tend to worry, whether it's about their husbands/marriages, or their children, or jobs, or ministries, or finances, or illness.  So I began to pray about what the next study book would be and the Lord let me to the Women of Faith book you can find posted on my side bar.  This week we will wrap up the GotTeens study book and continue with this new one about "living above worry and stress."  Because yes----being the parent of a teen or preteen is often stressful.  But does this mean we should waste time worrying??  NO!

And glory to God, but our pastor, in his sermon this morning, actually said that worrying/anxiety is a form of sin.  Because then we are not trusting God to do what He is gonna do.  The Lord does command us to cast our burdens on Him.  He says "be anxious for nothing......" as found in Philippians 4.  

And...I'm currently reading the book Crazy Love.  There is a section in the beginning about stress and worry. Here is what Francis Chan (the author) says about worry:

"Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives.  Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip on control.  Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional.  Both worry and stress reek of arrogance.  They declare our tendency to forget that we've been forgiven, that our lives here are brief, that we are headed to a place where we won't be lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again, and that in the context of God's strength, our problems are small indeed.  Why are we so quick to forget God?  Who do we think we are?" (pg 42, c.2008 Francis Chan, Crazy Love)

So.....Why waste time worrying??  I know it's easier said than done for some people...my friend included. I think it's such a waste of time, though, to worry.  I mean, if we truly believe God is in control..which He is...He is gonna do what He is gonna do, anyways....there is really no point in worrying.  And like Pastor Rex said....we will reap the consequences of what we sow...if we sow worry we might experience physical, relational and/or spiritual consequences.  Things like high blood pressure, angina, ulcers, sleeplessness, unhealthy eating patterns, isolation, frustration, doubt, impatience, anger, among other things.

 And I truly believe that when we remember just Who our God is.....and What He has done for us...and what He is gonna do...then we can lay those worries at His feet and let Him pick them up and carry them.....

I think this is gonna be a great study book.....