DEVOTION #63 “ELIMINATING WORRY”
May 5, 2024 06:57:37 #
Greetings and Happy Lord’s Day to
all Fishing Stagers and guests.
Most of you are probably familiar with a fictional character named Alfred E. Newman. If not, his picture may refresh your memory.
(See below)
His signature line was always:
“WHAT, ME WORRY?
I’m not really sure how Alfred dealt with his worries, but according to medical science, worry in REAL people can cause any number of physical ailments, such as anxiety, blood pressure issues, weight loss, headaches, diarrhea, ulcers, constipation, fatigue, and even cancer! I actually believe that NOTHING GOOD can come from worrying.
That’s probably why the Bible (God’s Word) teaches us NOT to worry, over and over again. It also tells us what to do, instead of worrying.
The clearest example of this is probably in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, where he says:
”Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.“
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
Another example is in the Sermon on The Mount, where Jesus, Himself, told His followers:
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today..”
Matthew 6:34 NLT
The Psalmist, David, made this proclamation:
”The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.“
Psalms 23:1 NKJV
About 650 years before Paul wrote to the Philippians (above), the Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, was saying basically the same thing.
What a confirmation of a 650-year-old prophetic message!
”For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.“
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT
I guess what I’m trying to say is, we can let God take all our worries and burdens - He wants to carry them for us, just like Jesus did with our sins, when He took all of them to the cross of Calvary for us. Why should we worry ourselves sick, when we really don’t have to, and it doesn’t make anything better anyway. Just give it to God!
I must confess - I am nowhere near worry-free yet, but I am sure working on it, with God’s help, and with the help of this 7-year-old message I watched on TV (TBN) Thursday, by Pastor Allen Jackson.
I hope it blesses you all as much as it has blessed me. 🙏🏻
(and it’s ONLY 27-1/2 minutes long)
https://youtu.be/34AHNJchZ4k?si=1mVHFdlYTEAiwxel
all Fishing Stagers and guests.
Most of you are probably familiar with a fictional character named Alfred E. Newman. If not, his picture may refresh your memory.
(See below)
His signature line was always:
“WHAT, ME WORRY?
I’m not really sure how Alfred dealt with his worries, but according to medical science, worry in REAL people can cause any number of physical ailments, such as anxiety, blood pressure issues, weight loss, headaches, diarrhea, ulcers, constipation, fatigue, and even cancer! I actually believe that NOTHING GOOD can come from worrying.
That’s probably why the Bible (God’s Word) teaches us NOT to worry, over and over again. It also tells us what to do, instead of worrying.
The clearest example of this is probably in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, where he says:
”Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.“
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
Another example is in the Sermon on The Mount, where Jesus, Himself, told His followers:
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today..”
Matthew 6:34 NLT
The Psalmist, David, made this proclamation:
”The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.“
Psalms 23:1 NKJV
About 650 years before Paul wrote to the Philippians (above), the Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, was saying basically the same thing.
What a confirmation of a 650-year-old prophetic message!
”For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.“
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT
I guess what I’m trying to say is, we can let God take all our worries and burdens - He wants to carry them for us, just like Jesus did with our sins, when He took all of them to the cross of Calvary for us. Why should we worry ourselves sick, when we really don’t have to, and it doesn’t make anything better anyway. Just give it to God!
I must confess - I am nowhere near worry-free yet, but I am sure working on it, with God’s help, and with the help of this 7-year-old message I watched on TV (TBN) Thursday, by Pastor Allen Jackson.
I hope it blesses you all as much as it has blessed me. 🙏🏻
(and it’s ONLY 27-1/2 minutes long)
https://youtu.be/34AHNJchZ4k?si=1mVHFdlYTEAiwxel
May 5, 2024 07:14:45 #
I Remember that grin well. It was always a series of very funny stuff.
May 5, 2024 08:29:41 #
1Oldboat42
Loc: Kearney, Nebraska
Good devotion for this Sunday morning. A way I look at worry is that when I spend time worrying about an issue in my life that I really can't do anything about, then what I'm doing is trying to play God, and worse I'm trying to control something I can't, and nothing good comes from that.
May 5, 2024 08:35:57 #
Flytier wrote:
I Remember that grin well. It was always a series of very funny stuff.
Some say he was
“MAD”! 🤣🥴
May 5, 2024 08:38:45 #
1Oldboat42 wrote:
Good devotion for this Sunday morning. A way I look at worry is that when I spend time worrying about an issue in my life that I really can't do anything about, then what I'm doing is trying to play God, and worse I'm trying to control something I can't, and nothing good comes from that.
Thanks, Joel! That’s a good point. Time is much better spent praying - does a whole lot more good.
May 5, 2024 09:31:44 #
Randyhartford wrote:
Greetings and Happy Lord’s Day to br all Fishing S... (show quote)
Oh I remember the face and the smile too, but was never one to follow that character. Nor one for comic books of any character when I think about it. Dang book reports for school took up to much time in the summer and studies ate up time in the winter. Toss in every minute I could being outside kept me entertained beyond needing to read something for a laugh.
Worrying didn't kick in until later teens and as the adult years increased steadily, the worries came with more life lessons.
However, somewhere along the way a light came on and putting trust in the big guy was the mission at hand.
May 5, 2024 10:22:28 #
My theory has always been if it's worth worrying, then do something about it. If you can't DO anything , why worry. It won't help.
May 5, 2024 10:35:51 #
plumbob wrote:
Oh I remember the face and the smile too, but was ... (show quote)
Yes, when we put our trust in Him, it truly eliminates
sooo much worry!
May 5, 2024 10:36:50 #
Flytier wrote:
My theory has always been if it's worth worrying, then do something about it. If you can't DO anything , why worry. It won't help.
You got that right, Jimmy! 👍
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