The Sneaky Thief
Posted on July 8th, 2014
The Sneaky Thief
By: Catherine Patterson
There is a thief that sneaks around and infiltrates our lives. This thief is there in the hallways at school, in the classroom, on the field, at home, and especially late at night. We all know this thief. In fact we call him by name while we try to ignore the pain he causes. The thief’s name is Worry…and he robs us of our peace.
I am a good worrier. I can get stressed out over just about anything, and I am really good at it. But I hate getting stressed out, because it doesn’t solve anything. If anything, my worries make the situation worse. The worst thing about stress or being anxious is that it is physical as well as mental. What you think is only tormenting you on the inside, eventually makes an appearance on the outside. Some people sweat, others cry, but I get sick. The sore throat, stuffy nose, muscle aches, fatigue, the whole package.
The Bible tells us not to worry. Matthew 6:25-34 says, 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Have you ever considered this passage? Birds don’t worry, yet they don’t know where they’re next meal will come from. God feeds them. And if God faithfully cares about the birds He created, won’t He take care of you? One of my favorite parts of this Scripture passage is the second part of verse 32, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” God knows what you need, and He will always provide. Can you think of a time that He hasn’t? Nope! Maybe He didn’t provide in the way you expected, but He always gives us what we need in His timing. So what’s there to worry about?
Even though we are told not to worry and we know perfectly well that we shouldn’t, it is still easy to become stressed. Maybe we’re afraid of change, of tests, of not being chosen for the team, of being laughed at when we give a report, or maybe we’re in the midst of a terrifying situation. May I remind you, we don’t serve a puny, uncaring God. The Bible tells us that He loves us, is All-Powerful and keeps His promises! Nothing is impossible to God. He has everything under control—He always has.
Are you worrying about something? Do you know that God knows all about it and has it under control? Are you ready to be relieved of the burden of worry? I’ve been listening to a song by modern hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend, Still, My Soul Be Still. Read the words, then think about the fear mentioned (change, sorrow, temptation, etc.) that relates to what you are dealing with. Then look at the refrain. Are you surrendering control to God?
Still my soul be still
And do not fear
Though winds of change may rage tomorrow
God is at your side
No longer dread
The fires of unexpected sorrow
You are my God
And I will trust in You and not be shaken
Lord of peace renew
A steadfast spirit within me
To rest in You alone
Still my soul be still
Do not be moved
By lesser lights and fleeting shadows
Hold onto His ways
With shield of faith
Against temptations flaming arrows
Refrain
Still my soul be still
Do not forsake
The Truth you learned in the beginning
Wait upon the Lord
And hope will rise As stars appear when day is dimming
Refrain
Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
©Catherine Patterson 2014