Worrying

By Johnny Angel

Dear friends,

Okay, so like I've picked a topic that we're all guilty of and don't want to admit to. Today was my first day teaching Sunday School. It was also my first day of volunteering for eight weeks to help at another church. I was nervous about both. Both went fine.

But in between during the afternoon, I was letting stuff get to me. God could send me to this church full time. I was analyzing asking God why He finally let me have a Sunday School class at my church and is now there is the possibility that I will have to leave the church. To be honest, I was getting really scared. I was almost to the point where I didn't even want to think about spiritual matters, just for a little while.

I am sharing this with all of you to let you know that it's okay to feel confusion, discouragement, and down times. The problem is when you let it get the best of you. I had the Christian radio station on. A song came on, and I recognized the opening lines of the instrumental part. I felt God telling me to turn it up. The words expressed exactly what I was feeling. And soon I realized how trivial the things I worry about are.

Jesus taught that worrying does not do a thing for us. He asked us to look at the birds in the air and the flowers in the field. He expressed how they are so wonderfully beautiful and how all their needs are met. Then He said that we are even more important than they are. He will take care of our needs.

God knows every star in the sky and every hair on our head. He knows every leaf on a tree and every tree in a forest. He can forget our sins, though they are many if we just ask. But He will never forget us. He is always there beside us meeting our every need.

It reminds me of the "Footprints In The Sand" picture/poem. The poet describes life as a walk down the beach. There is a set of footprints for himself and a set for Jesus. But in times of trouble he questioned why there was only one set of footprints. Jesus said those were the times I carried you.

During Student Week, I was waiting for one of my friends to show up at the bookstore in the middle of the camp. I sat there in the rocking chair hoping she would come. While I was waiting, an older man sat down next to me and start talking. He explained how worrying is a lot like rocking in a rocking chair. It doesn't matter how much you do it, it never gets you anywhere.

I have learned that when the situation looks hopeless or doesn't make sense, God is getting ready to do something. Consider this thought: 

When the Red Sea is in front of you . . .
the desert and mountains are to the sides . . .
and Pharaoh's army is charging up behind you . . .
Just stop and start praising God!
For the situaiton is ideal for a miracle!
		-Unknown

Cast your cares on the LORD
    and he will sustain you;
    he will never let the righteous fall.  (Psalm 55:22, NIV)

Our LORD, we belong to you.  
We tell you what worries us, 
	and you won't let us fall (Psalm 55:22, CEV)

God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.  (1 Peter 5:7, 
CEV)

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what 
happens to you.  (1 Peter 5:7, NLT)


N Prayer, Johnny <*}}}><