Are you a worrywart?

How often does anxiety grip you? How often would you say that your experience the peace of God in your life? I struggle with worry like other Christians do. So right now I am reading a book called Down but Not Out by Wayne Mack. Wayne has had extensive experience as a biblical counselor, is on the governing board of NANC and FIRE Fellowship. I had an opportunity recently to meet and spend some time with Dr. Mack at a recent fellowship conference.

We all tend to downplay certain sins at least in our minds. But worry is a serious problem that we should grapple with in our lives. It is a universal, common, and dailyis problem in most lives. Worry has serious consequences, just look at how worry gripped Saul's life as he worried about David and because of it much bloodshed and heartache ensued in Saul's administration. Several sins directly flow from worry such as depression, discouragment, and unbelief. Worry opens the door to the devil's influence in our lives and drives out the Word from our lives. Worry causes physical problems. One leading gastrointestinal doctor thought that worry contributed to at least 80% of his patient's problems. Worry hinders our performance and usefulness and destroys our happiness. Worry is a complete waste of time and energy.

There is never any situation or circumstance that requires or excuses worry.

When we do worry we really are questioning God's truthfulness, His sovereignty, His sincerity and His sufficiency. When we worry we are thinking, "I should be able to control this situation and handle it by myself."

We truly live in an age of anxiety but Philippians 4:6-7 is still true: "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, ESV)

When David was fleeing from his son Absalom, he lay down and went to sleep. When Peter was in prison after Herod had arrested James and killed him, Peter was sleeping that night when two angels came to rescue him. When Paul and Silas were in prison, they were singing and praising God at midnight. So God's peace can work! We just have to believe it and act upon what we know is right and true.

I will share more about what Dr. Mack teaches me in some coming posts.