I have spent way too much time in my life worrying about things.   

I have worried about grades in school, and algae in the pool.  I have worried about poison ivy vines and approaching deadlines.  I have worried about whether people like me, and what my kids will want to be.  I have worried about bills and expenses as well as losing my senses.  I worry about the rising gas prices, and budget slices, about the cost of living and how much I am giving.  I have even worried about first impressions and contagious infections.  And so this current message series at New Horizon was created with people like me in mind.  How about you?  Do you find a lot of your time caught up in worry?

If so here is some of what the Bible says about worry.     

First, Worry does not accomplish anything.

--Matthew 6:27-29 (NLT)
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

Somebody once said that “Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere.”  We all struggle with the precious commodity of time these days.  Worrying won't help any of us solve a problem, so why waste time and energy on it?

Secondly, Worry can be destructive to our health.

--Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)
Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Worrying can be destructive to us in many ways. It can even become a mental burden that causes us to grow physically sick.

Third, Worrying takes us away from what is really important.

--Matthew 6:25 (NLT)
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.  Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

--Matthew 6:31-33 (NLT)
So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

By keeping our eyes focused on God, we can see His love and we can see that He has a wonderful plan for our lives which includes taking care of us. Even in the difficult times, when it seems like God doesn't care, we can still put our trust in the Lord and focus on His kingdom—seeking it first. God will take care of our every need.

Finally, When we worry we are not trusting God.

Matthew 6:30  (NLT)
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith.  

Instead of spending time and energy in worrying, we can be put our time to better use in prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) states: ”Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Don’t worry, be prayerful…about everything!

Roger

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