PUTTING WORRY TO WORK

(From my “Daily Word From Jesus” devotional for February 22)

        Matthew 6:27 records our Lord Jesus as saying, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Someone has said the only thing worry is guaranteed to do is shorten our life. We might argue the opposite, that some worry might lead us to take better care of ourselves or to be more healthy in our life. 

        Jesus’ Word for us today begins with the notion that a sick person can somehow worry himself into better health. Or that enough worry can somehow make us live longer. Jesus’ point in Matthew 6 is that worry is largely a waste of time. Longer life or better health will not come merely by worrying. We must do something about it as well. 

        Worry or anxiety perhaps can move us to make needed changes for better health, but most of the time they just lead to more worry. I’ve found that reading a few chapters from the Bible helps greatly, whether from New or Old Testament, especially if I follow it with prayer. Taking a nap after prayer helps, too.

        If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently? What would you change? Is there some activity you can stop now that would help? Are there some small but needed things you can do? Life isn’t always comprised of the big decisions we make, but a combination of the small ones. Rather than asking, “How can I live longer?” we’d do better to ask, “How can I live better?” Reading the Bible can help with that.

        Trusting in God every day is a better way to live. He helps us see the road of our life more clearly. He helps us navigate the potholes and carry our burdens more easily, and He can make them seem lighter. He also gives us mind to discover a better way.

        Jesus may not lighten your load, but He can and will give you a stronger back if you ask Him. He may also give you someone to help carry your load. A shared load in life is always lighter.

Lord, if I can't have a lighter load, give me strength to carry this one better. Amen

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com