Why Worry?

Read Psalm 23

Sickness. Future. Heartache. Broken down car. Leaking faucet. Job. Family. Weather. Friends. School. Love. Finance. Children. No children. Parents. Grandparents. Retirement. Ego. Pride.
What do all of these have in common? Very simply, the opportunity for worry. When was the last time that you worried about your health or a loved one? How about your future or any of the others that I mentioned above? Everyone worries occasionally, but I know people that occasionally do NOT worry. I read a story about a person who was once a "professional worrier." Their daily preoccupation was mulling over their worries, one by one.
Then one day this person had to face an uncomfortable medical test, and was frantic with fear. Finally they decided that during the test they would focus on the first five words of Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd." This exercise in meditation not only calmed that person, but they gained several fresh insights. Later, as they slowly meditated through the entire psalm, the Lord gave them more insights.
If you're a worrier, there's hope for you too! Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life, wrote: "When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, that's called worry. When you think about God's Word over and over in your mind, that's meditation. If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate!"
The more we meditate on God's Word, the less we need to worry. In Psalm 23, David meditated on his great Shepherd instead of worrying. Later, God chose him to be the shepherd of His people (Psalm 78:70-72). God uses those who can honestly say, "The Lord is my shepherd."
Stop for a moment right now and identify your greatest worry. Ask yourself this question, “Can God take care of it?” If your answer is yes, then ask yourself this question, “Then why worry?” Next, stop and take His hand that is outstretched and let Him direct your path. If He is trustworthy, and He is, why not let Him worry about things.
There was a Sunday school teacher asking her children what they would do if the devil came knocking at the door. After several typical answers, a little girl stood up and said, “When the devil comes knocking at my door, I just ask Jesus to answer it.” What a thought. Who is going to answer the knocks in your life today?

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”
- Corrie Ten Boom