PASTOR’S PEN

Let God handle it


William Campbell is pastor at First Baptist Church in Port Aransas.

William Campbell is pastor at First Baptist Church in Port Aransas.


There was some research done on worry ( www.christviewchristian.org) that said 40 percent of what we worry about never happens, 30 percent is concern about the past, 12 percent is needlessly about our health, 10 percent is about insignificant or petty issues, while only eight percent is about legitimate concerns.

To put this in everyday figures, let’s say you spend three hours a day worrying (I know, many of you spend that much time worrying before you get to work.). If you are like most people, that would mean less than 15 minutes of your three hours of worrying is over legitimate concerns.

Even with legitimate issues, the Bible is quite clear about worry. Jesus said, in Mat 6:34 NLT:
So, don’t
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow
will bring its own worries. Today’s
trouble is enough for today.

Paul, in the book of Philippians, gives us steps on how to avoid this dangerous and unhealthy habit. Php
4:6 NLT:
Don’t worry about anything;

instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank
Him for all He has done.
The key is in the very next phrase after Paul tells us not to worry. We are to pray about everything.

The word Paul uses for prayer actually means petition. In other words, tell God every little detail of your day, from the look you got by the person that doesn’t like you, to the bill that you need help paying. God wants you to tell Him every detail.

I have often heard believers say that God has so much on his plate that He doesn’t need to know about every detail of my life. That is absolutely, completely, and unequivocally wrong! God wants you to spend time with Him and tell Him all of your problems.

The word Paul uses for “everything” means “in complete totality, not leaving anything out.” What Paul is trying to say is this: Instead of worrying, tell God what is going on and leave it with Him. Let God handle it. You see, there is no problem too big for God to handle…and no problem too small for God’s concern.

The second point Paul makes about worry is that we should be thankful, no matter what situation we are in. Are you sick? Be thankful that God is the God who heals. Are you in debt? Be thankful that God owns everything and has more than enough riches to handle yours, mine, and even our nation’s debt! Instead of worrying (and complaining) we should be thankful. God is still in control, and the very fact that you are going through difficulties means that God has not given up on you. Jesus even promised us that in this life we will have trouble. So you could even be thankful that God is a God who keeps His word. There is always something to be thankful for!

The question then becomes, not what are you worried about, but why haven’t you given it to God? My definition of worry is “taking responsibility that God never intended for me to have.” When we take responsibility that actually belongs to God, what we are saying to God is that we do not trust Him. God wants us to live life carefree…

1Peter 5:7 MSG:
Live carefree
before God; he is most careful with
you.
Whatever you’ve been worrying about (even if it is in the eight percent legitimate concern), God says to let Him handle it.

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