Gò0dNews for Everyone
Worry Robs Us of Our Joy
A
by Cheryl L. Dunson
t some point in time, I’m sure most of us have
Needless to say, the weekend was probably insufferably
experienced a sleepless night or two because of
long for her, filled with uncertainty and dread. I continued
worry or stress.
to assure her the Lord was in control, and truth and
Just recently, a good friend of mine with more than
twenty-four years of working in a local school system experienced one of her worst possible fears: losing her job.
righteousness would prevail. She left our farm with a heavy heart and incredible fear for her future. In the book of Matthew, Jesus teaches us seven lessons
In her attempts to protect an uncooperative student from
about why we shouldn’t worry. First, the same God who
being hit by a heavy door, she pulled the child across the
created life in us can be trusted with the details of our lives (6:25). Second, worrying about the future hampers our efforts for today and disrupts our productivity (6:26). Worrying is more harmful than helpful and can damage our health (6:27). God also doesn’t ignore those who depend on Him (6:28-30), and when we worry, we’re demonstrating a lack of faith in and understanding of God (6:32). Worrying keeps us from pursuing the real challenges God would prefer us chase (6:33), and finally, planning for tomorrow is time well spent while worrying about tomorrow is time wasted (6:34). Unbeknown to my friend, the school’s principal attempted to call her
door’s threshold. The incident was caught on video and
throughout the weekend to inform her the student’s parent
took on a life of its own among her peers. In educational
supported my friend’s actions. Yet, for reasons no one can
circles, I understand treating a child like this is egregious
explain, the call never came through.
wrongdoing and punishable by termination. My friend arrived at our home for a long three-day
After four days of worry and stress, my friend learned God’s goodness and righteousness prevailed. God protected
weekend with the weight of the world on her shoulders and
her and was in control of every detail. However, the fear of
tears in her eyes. Throughout her visit, she relived the event
losing her job robbed my friend of the joy she should have
repeatedly and asked me to pray to God for her job and her
experienced being in the company of family and friends.
reputation. Just three years short of retirement, my friend had everything to lose.
20 // April 2022
God’s Word is clear: Don’t let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.
