WORRY FREE

The story goes that a cop pulled the old lady over for speeding.  He approached her open window and noticed both her hands on her steering wheel at 10 and 2, a signal in that state, that she had a concealed weapon.

So he asked, "Ma'am, do you have a concealed weapon?"

"Yes, sir, I do."

"Please place it on the seat."

She reached under her seat, pulled out a small hand gun and put it on the seat beside her.  But her hands went right back to the steering wheel.

"Ma'am, do you have another concealed weapon?"

"Yes, sir, I do."

With his permission she retrieved a Colt 45 from her glove compartment and placed it on the seat too.  Her hands went right back to the steering wheel.

Shocked, the cop repeated, "Ma'am, do you still have a concealed weapon?"

"Yes, sir, I do."

She reached behind her and pulled out a 20 gauge shotgun to add to the seat collection.  But once again her hands gripped the steering wheel, 10 and 2.

"Ma'am, you have got to be kidding me.  You have another weapon?"

"Yes sir, I do.  In the trunk."

He nodded and she went back to pull out her AK-47.

Incredulous, the stunned officer asked, "Ma'am, what in the world are you so afraid of?"

"Not one darn thing, sir!"

~     ~     ~

Fear is the product of worry.  Not many of us can say we have neither. Worry gives small problems big shadows and robs us of joy, peace, security. Anxiety holds the gun to our head and even threatens to rob us of our health!

But there might be a better way to protect ourselves than getting our own gun license.  Christ offers us another arsenal, more effective than speeding bullets. The Bible speaks of 150 different kinds of fear.  Obviously God knows it's a big part of being human.  But the most common command is, "Fear not."

Give us this day our daily bread.

Live life one day at a time.  We spend a lot of fret fuel on the future.  It takes us nowhere bur drains our energy, spinning our wheels in one place.  Corrie ten Boom said, "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength."

Cast all your cares on him for he cares for you.

We can shift gears and give our concerns to the only One Who can actually manage our lives.  Or we can choose to worry and bear burdens too heavy for our shoulders.  We were never meant to lift such weights.  He loves us and that's enough motive to trust Him.  Trust.  Moment by moment.  Step by step.

Delight yourself in the Lord, yes, find your joy in him at all times.

Worry often stems not from what we need but from what we want.  People filled with worry and fear are usually unhappy.  By focusing on our source of joy, Christ, He can restore calm to heavy hearts.  It takes time with Him though, often and alone.  Then our thoughts align with His and truth conquers worry.

Bear one another's burdens.

Everyone needs a Tonto.

God designed us to live in community with our Christian brothers and sisters.  We tend to play at it though, hiding our true hearts.  Lone Rangers seem to suffer with stress more than folks with close friends.  


In sharing our struggles with a trusted friend, some of the worry chains drop off.  

Confess your faults one to another that ye may be healed.

Admit the sin and call it that, whether it's worry or something else that grips you and holds you hostage.  Yes, taking it to God is vital but this verse says healing comes when we choose transparency with others.  Shedding pride seems to be connected to release from strongholds.  Even leaders need a safe place and person with whom they can be real.  No masks here, Kimosabe.  Burdens shared are halved and new perspectives heal.

Focus on your GIANTS and you stumble.
Focus on God and the giants tumble.

Simple formulas but not easy to maintain.  Choose.  God's plan or an AK-47.  His way works!