If there was ever a trait I wish I could shed it would be "worrying". It seems as if I'm alone sometimes in my worries, however I know that many people have many worries. Some seem very small and others seem very large, it all depends on the person doing the worrying. Take for instance a rich man who seems to have everything. In Luke 18 we have some scripture that shows a rich man who asks Jesus himself what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him to sell everything and follow him. The rich man leaves upset at the prospect to give up all he has to inherit the eternal life he seeks. To a poor man if the Lord asked him to sell all he had, I don't believe the poor man would have a problem with it. Look at Mark 12:42-44, "But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others'". The rich man worried about giving up all he earned and the poor woman worried about none of that.



I think we are quick to judge others by their wealth and assume that they worry about nothing. However what the poor has a grasp on the rich doesn't and vice versa. We all have different reasons for worrying about things. It could be the decline of health in a child, it could be debt that is outstanding, it could be putting food on the table, or providing a place to live for ourselves or children. Looking at Matthew 6:27, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" So what is gained by worrying? Does it change your future? Well it could if you consider an ulcer a change for the better. In Deut. 31:8, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do no be discouraged." So no matter how hard life gets for each individual the Lord will never leave you. So again I ask what will worry do for you? If you are worrying about things I will say this; do you trust your life with the Lord? I personally think you do not. Once we take on the burden of our troubles we are taking control of our lives. If you take control of your life, then God no longer is driving the tractor. If you look in Matthew 8:23-27, even the disciples worried and as soon as they did the Lord called them out on it. Do we have so little faith in God leading our lives that we don't trust him to lead us down the right path?



As I prepare for Iraq and the long journey it will take to get there, this seemed like the correct devotion to do. Besides right now there is a worry going on in my life and it exists because I don't have enough strength alone to fight it. It isn't even going to Iraq. That I feel very confident on my safety while over there. I also feel very confident that while I am gone, I have a lot of family and friends that will watch over my family in my absence. As I struggle with my personal worry and as you deal with yours, please remember this final bible verse. Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."



I hope this finds you in good spirits and committing to your resolutions for the New Year. You are in my prayers. Also the next devotion I will be going over the question that I asked you to respond too.