Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Don't worry, be happy...

Sounds easy enough.




My husband has a pretty dry sense of humor, but he can be extremely funny in an annoying sort of way at times. When the girls were growing up he used to sing funny songs to them. It irritated them and made them laugh at the same time. It would help them forget their problems. His favorite tune was "Well, it's a good day from morning to night..." Anyone remember that little diddy? It is forever burned in my memory!

In the course of our lives we worry and fret. We worry over our children, our families, our spouses, our finances (especially now), our health, our relationships. The list can go on and on. We are worriers, especially us gals. We're moms "in charge of the family" and because of that we get in a place of misunderstanding concern and care for our children, loved ones, and circumstances with "worry". I know. I've been one of those people.


Version: NAS

Matthew 6:25-33

25. "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, [as to] what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, [as to] what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing? 26. "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and [yet] your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27. "And which of you by being anxious can add a [single] cubit to his life's span? 28. "And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29. yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. 30. "But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is [alive] today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, [will He] not much more [do so for] you, O men of little faith? 31. "Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?' 32. "For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
 
 
This last verse is the key here. Seek God first and then He can give us the things we need.
 
 
Version: NAS
Philippians 4:4-7

4. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5. Let your forbearing [spirit] be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 
 
The following is our foundation scripture.

NAS version
John 15:9-17

9. "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10. "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. 11. "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and [that] your joy may be made full. 12. "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14. "You are My friends, if you do what I command you. 15. "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16. "You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you. 17. "This I command you, that you love one another.
 
Wonderful scriptures, but how many of us are still worrying? We look at the scripture and read it and say. Well yes, that SOUNDS good, but how do we actually do it?
 
Version: NAS

1 Peter 5:7
7."...casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you."
 
Here's where the answer lies.  Let's see what the dictionary says about the word "cast".
 
"to throw, deliberately and forcefully, toss, pitch, fling and hurl."
 
Remember when Jesus met the disciples they were fishing. They used nets back then to gather the fish, I guess much like today. But they did it by hand. Now we all know that if you are going to throw out a net, that you better have some force behind it otherwise it won't get where it needs to go. Use this visual. Take all your worries and anxieties and literally "throw" them to Jesus. He will catch them for you.
 
I once heard the analogy of "worry" to the thought of having car problems. You can have a car problem all day, but it won't get fixed until you take it to the mechanic. Get the correlation? As long as we are hanging onto our problems and clutching our worries, frustrations and fears, they will never get into Jesus capable hands. After all He promises to take care of our needs.
 
This following scripture is for me today. Anyone else need it?
 
Version: NAS

Matthew 4:23-25

23. And [Jesus] was going about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. 24. And the news about Him went out into all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, taken with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. 25. And great multitudes followed Him from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and [from] beyond the Jordan.
 
Jesus is willing and waiting. He's right there asking you to let Him take your burdens. Remember, He loves you and He's your best friend. He wants you to cast your troubles on Him. He's ready. How about you?
 
Ready...set...GO!
 
Debra

I have an update and it concerns Melanie and Andrew, found on the side bar. Many of you have read and prayed for them and kept track of Andrew and his illness. I just read today in Melanie's latest post that he is now with Jesus. My heart is breaking for them as I have communicated with Melanie many times via email. I am deeply grieving over this, but I am still trusting God, as is Melanie.
I know God had me post my last post, without this knowledge. But now in light of this situation I want to say that it is not meant to be light or without great love for those who are suffering right now. My love and prayers are with Melanie for her and her family.

13 comments:

  1. interesting blog
    God Bless You

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  2. Your posting spoke directly to me today! Thank you. I deal with severe anxiety and HE is the only one that makes it better.

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  3. Great post ---loved your Scripture verses!

    I've had this saying for years:

    "Worry... goes NOWHERE!"
    "Concern.. goes TO Prayer!"

    Choosing JOY, Stephanie

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  4. Hi Debra. I know it's true, we can either choose to turn over what we have no control over anyway or stuggle with impossible situations. I envy those who can live by that truism (is that a word?). The smart mind tells me to let go, worry will get me nowhere but the part of me that has always thought I can help people but I why should the Lord help me. My mind keeps saying if you (meaning me) can't change your life why should I (meaning our Father) do it for you. I just feel that I've disappointed him so much. (I hate to think how I would feel if I had done something against another person). I'm grateful to know that I haven't done anything to anyone else. This is about my own (what I preceive as disappointments) to God.

    I'm working on casting those troubles into the hands of my Father. I'm trying to remember he does love me too. It's easy for me to believe he can love everyone no matter what their situation is. I'm working on believing he loves me too.

    To dear Melanie. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. I know you are in Gods hands. You're in my heart and prayers. May God bless you with his strenght and comfort.

    To all here, Merry Christmas friends!

    Hugs and love...Tracy :)

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  5. Oh' I forgot to tell you how much I love that cheery kitty cat. I'd like to have him here at my house everyday. You'd have to smile at that.

    Thank you for another wonderful message and a direction for my studying with the Lord.

    Love you, Tracy :)

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  6. Debra,
    You need to stop reading my mail.:) I was just studying about Hannah today. It says year after year past, with no child. I was thinking that these are the situations that perplex and mock us. The year after year problems. The children that haven't come to themseves yet, the unsaved spouse, a chronic illness. These are the things we fret about.
    My Pastor had a dream of two angels. One had obviously been in a battle. His friend inquired, "Limping?" in a voice that conveyed compassion and tenderness.
    "Trusting," came the reply.
    Oh, Debra. That is my goal. I may be limping, but I want to be trusting. And if I am trusting I can not be fretting. Your wonderful Bible Study has certainly confirmed this for me.
    PS I left a comment on Melanie's blog this morning. Words escape me.

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  7. My goodness I need all of them.It is so easy for me to get into that "but God doesn't understand the situation" mode and try to do it all myself. Oh yeah, that's turned out so well in the past.

    Letting go and letting God needs to my mantra!

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  8. Yes Debra, I am in need of Matthew 4:23 and it's as if God sent you a message to give to me. Thank you. If you have a chance go to little Witt's blog on my sidebar. In the post this morning Cheryl included a song that sums up so many of what you are teaching about faith.
    Debbie

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  9. I am sure anyone who knows you would know your compassion for others...the light hearted post title is not meant to hurt.

    Oh, I am so guilty of this one... the thorn in my side... just when I think it is gone it jabs me really good...then the worry floods in. Had a run it last night that was gut wrenching. Today I feel weary from it all...He will refresh me, He always does. I think I am limping a little today too.

    Even so ...how selfish...some have been knocked off their feet completely. Let there be great peace for them.
    Lee

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  10. I am always amazed that I can read the same scripture many many times & it is always just perfect for the different situations in my life or it just hits me a different way. Pretty good author ;)

    Thanks again Debra!

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  11. Dear Friends,

    Tonight I am humbled by the strength and courage and compassion and suffering and unselfishness and faithfulness and humor that makes up the population of the world of blogging.

    I am humbled by the courage of young Andrew during his battle and now his family's courage as well.

    I am grateful for Debra and her willingness to follow your lead to be a conduit for your Word for all of us.She is our Paul Revere.

    I am grateful for Debra's open door of friendship.

    Thank you God, that a year ago, when I was probably WORRYING, you gave me the nudge to start a blog.

    Worrying is after all pretty self obsessed, and it is exhausting.

    I am grateful my test results were clear, and I am so grateful for the prayers of others.

    And now this week before the commemoration of our Savior's birth, I just want to hold those I love close-
    To share openly how I feel about others.

    Laura

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  12. Oh how we need Him....His remedy for our worry ....with prayer and supplication, let your requests be known unto him.......His peace that passes all understanding shall guard our hearts ( feelings) and minds
    (thoughts) in Christ Jesus.
    He loves us so.

    Melanie~~ My thoughts and prayers with you and your family. May God's Grace, peace, and love cover you all as you walk through this time.
    In the Love of Christ, Ella

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  13. Hi Everyone, as the days are getting closer to Christmas I know we are all busy, thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to share what's on your heart!
    Hi O.G. So glad you stopped by, we can use some other guys to put in their 2 cents!
    Melifaif,(she has the cutest little girlie, girl, go by her blog) boy, anxiety is a tough one for me. I have to try to guard against it. It can cause me so much stress, and we all know where that can get you (me)!
    Hi Stepanie, LOVE how you signed off, "Choosing Joy" and how true that is...we need to choose joy everyday.
    Tracy, don't listen to your OWN mind. Let the mind of Christ speak to you. He's an encourager and comforter, and in no way condemning. He loves you just the way you are.(which I think is loving and precious above words)
    Lisa, your angel story is so true. There are battles in our life, but for me, truly the biggest battle is in my mind. Staying in a place of "trust" with what God is doing in my life. I get in the way sometimes and I don't always do everything I'd like. It is daily not letting "life" beat you down, but giving it to God.
    Rose, yeah I'm with you, sometimes I'm my own worst enemy. Sometimes I try to explain it to God and tell Him how He's supposed to do it for me. Glad to know I'm not alone in this. LOL!!
    Debbie, sometimes I really question God about a "specific" thing He tells me. I have a tendency to be bossy sometimes. I'm so glad you mentioned that that scripture was meaningful to you. Thanks girl!
    Lee, I know I'm so susceptible to the "jabs". I can get down pretty quick, Thank the good Lord He doesn't let me stay there. Thanks for the affirmation. I want to always be sensitive to everyone!
    Libbie, LOVE that comment about the "author". That's for sure, it's just amazing how each time we read something we get something new and relevant!
    We love you Laura, and I'm so glad that "thumbs up" was RIGHT!! You are a huge blessing to me and everyone else!
    And GG, prayer, yes that's the key to answers. Not forgeting to actually PRAY, instead of just worrying about it. Once God reminded me that my "worry" was not "prayer" and that it would be beneficial for me to learn the difference!
    Love you all!
    Debra

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