Absolutely refusing to worry.

This Monday I started my work week like I start many, listening to a podcast on the drive to work.  This one was by Chip Ingram.  He quoted an author who said that a long time ago he decided "I absolutely refuse to worry."; and when he felt the urge to worry about any situation that life brought he would repeat those words over and over to himself: "I absolutely refuse to worry."

It always amazes me how God brings truth to you just when you need it most.  This Friday, March 1st is the ultimatum for the federal government's budget sequestration.  If you don't really know what that entails you can look it up elsewhere, I won't try to tackle that one here.  For many Americans this might be just another opportunity to roll your eyes and thumb your nose at the politicians in Washington.  For those of us that work for the federal government it hits much closer to home.  There is a great deal of uncertainty about everything surrounding this situation right now but the one thing I know for sure is that people and work that I care about will be effected by this: co-workers, friends, fellow biologists, maybe me too.  To what degree, I don't know.  That's really the thing that gets the worrying going though isn't it, fear of the unknown.

I hate worrying.  I can't say that I never do it but I think that most of the things I do worry about are actually significant life-altering situations for me or someone close to me.  I don't think I worry excessively though.  My mother's philosophy is; "I'm a mom, it's my job to worry."  My response?  "It's not your job mom, you don't get paid for it.  It's your hobby."  Sorry mom, but you know its true!

Why do we worry anyway?  (Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? - Luke 12:25) What's the point, does it really solve anything or make things any better?  Not that I can attest to.  The only things worry has ever given me were wasted time, poor decisions, stress, anxiety, confusion, fear, doubt and sickness.  I have actually worried to the point that I felt nauseous.  Ridiculous.

Jesus said: "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matt. 6:34

That my friends is truth if I've ever heard it.  Kind of sounds like he's talking about my day to day life!  So if I refuse to worry what should I do instead?  Some of us would all of the sudden have quite a bit of free time on our hands.  (Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Phil 4:6)  We could focus on other people and helping them instead of our own problems.  Would that solve the problems I'm worried about?  No, but worrying won't do that either. 

But herein we can rest our hopes and dreams for the future; "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." - Matt. 10:29

His eye is on the sparrow.  That might not solve today's problems, but that promise gives us hope for the future.