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Brooksyne Weber
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Wednesday, June 1,
2022
Wall art in Stroudsburg, PA.
Don't
park in this space if you are worried about a train!
Stroudsburg is probably the main touristy town in the Poconos, although there are several across the region.
Stroudsburg is probably the main touristy town in the Poconos, although there are several across the region.
"The
Worries Of The World"
Message
summary: Many of us can testify that worries have a
choking impact upon us. In fact I find it an ongoing
challenge. I sure wish I could declare that this is an
issue in which I have completely overcome and reached full
maturity but those pesky weeds of worry shoot up when I’m
least expecting it or at times I find myself unconsciously
experiencing it. I must willfully pluck this overpowering
weed from my mind so that it doesn’t choke out the fruit
of faith that reminds me to trust in God and believe on
His Word.
“And
others are the ones sown with seed among the thorns;
these are the ones who have heard the word, but the
worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of wealth,
and the desires for other things enter and choke the
word, and it becomes unfruitful" (Mark 4:18,19).
Early in my Christian life I read a booklet by Jay Adams titled, "What To Do About Worry" which was so helpful that I read it several times and frankly I need to review it yet again! Adams opens with an interesting illustration:
In today’s message we want to talk about the subject of worry, basing it on a phrase from the parable of the Sower, "but the worries of the world".
The parable of the sower is included in three of the four gospels. To interpret its larger meaning requires some knowledge about agriculture but, unlike some of the parables recorded by Christ, this parable also has the explanation.
In yesterday’s message we began with the concept of the farmer sowing seed and the immediate threat of weeds popping up that choke or compete with the desirable plants requiring the farmer to extricate or eradicate them. Of course this is also true on a smaller scale for home gardeners or any who try to keep a tidy landscape.
Early in my Christian life I read a booklet by Jay Adams titled, "What To Do About Worry" which was so helpful that I read it several times and frankly I need to review it yet again! Adams opens with an interesting illustration:
Joe used to
worry all the time about everything, in fact, his
friends knew him as a worrier. One day Bill was walking
down the street when he saw his worrying friend bouncing
along as happy as any man could be. Joe was actually
whistling, humming and wearing a huge smile; he looked
as if he did not have a care in the world.
Bill could hardly believe his eyes — it was obvious that a radical transformation had taken place. He stopped Joe and asked, “Joe, what’s happened to you? You don’t seem worried anymore; I never saw a happier man.”
Joe replied, “It’s wonderful, Bill. I haven’t worried for several weeks now.”
Bill continued, “That’s great — how did you manage it? What brought about the change?” Joe explained, “You see, I hired a man to do all my worrying for me.”
Bill could hardly believe his eyes — it was obvious that a radical transformation had taken place. He stopped Joe and asked, “Joe, what’s happened to you? You don’t seem worried anymore; I never saw a happier man.”
Joe replied, “It’s wonderful, Bill. I haven’t worried for several weeks now.”
Bill continued, “That’s great — how did you manage it? What brought about the change?” Joe explained, “You see, I hired a man to do all my worrying for me.”
“Well,” Bill
mused, “I must say that is a new wrinkle; tell me, how
much does he charge you?”
“A thousand dollars a week.”
“A thousand dollars a week? How could you possibly raise a thousand dollars a week to pay him?” Joe calmly responded, “That’s his worry.”
“A thousand dollars a week.”
“A thousand dollars a week? How could you possibly raise a thousand dollars a week to pay him?” Joe calmly responded, “That’s his worry.”
In today’s message we want to talk about the subject of worry, basing it on a phrase from the parable of the Sower, "but the worries of the world".
The parable of the sower is included in three of the four gospels. To interpret its larger meaning requires some knowledge about agriculture but, unlike some of the parables recorded by Christ, this parable also has the explanation.
In yesterday’s message we began with the concept of the farmer sowing seed and the immediate threat of weeds popping up that choke or compete with the desirable plants requiring the farmer to extricate or eradicate them. Of course this is also true on a smaller scale for home gardeners or any who try to keep a tidy landscape.
We also have
to deal with weeds in regard to our spiritual growth and
fruitfulness!
In the explanation of the parable Christ lists three choking agents of the seed that was thrown among thorns (weeds). This seed "heard the word", suggesting that it had a start; in agricultural terms it germinated. However the germinating, growing seed was stalled due to the choking of the word which made it unfruitful.
The first choking agent listed by our Lord is the "the worries of the world". Elsewhere in the Gospels Christ had a lot to teach about worry, as do the other Scriptures. Worry is a translation of the Greek word "merimna" which is also translated cares, concern, anxiety, distractions. It has the sense of turning over and over again in the mind which is exactly what we tend to do when we’re worried about a matter, isn't it? It's quite a contrast to "meditation" which has the sense of turning over and over words of Scripture such as indicated in Psalm 1:2, "and on His law (Word) He meditates day and night".
Worry can be both acute, our response to a specific situation of stress, or worry can be chronic bringing on an ongoing sense of uncertainty. It’s interesting to me the non-specific wording of the text simply states “the worries of the world”. In this context Christ does not attempt to list any of the sources that may cause worry.
Many of us can testify how worries have a choking impact upon us. In fact I find it an ongoing challenge. I wish I could declare that this is an issue in which I have completely overcome and reached full maturity but those pesky weeds of worry and doubt shoot up when I’m least expecting it. Other times I find myself unconsciously experiencing it. I must willfully pluck this overpowering weed from my mind so that it doesn’t choke out the fruit of faith that reminds me to trust in God and believe on His Word.
As I do so reassuring verses begin to fill my mind and calm my anxious heart such as, "God is my Refuge and Strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore I will not fear…." (Psalm 46); "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13); "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You" (Isaiah 26:3).
In the explanation of the parable Christ lists three choking agents of the seed that was thrown among thorns (weeds). This seed "heard the word", suggesting that it had a start; in agricultural terms it germinated. However the germinating, growing seed was stalled due to the choking of the word which made it unfruitful.
The first choking agent listed by our Lord is the "the worries of the world". Elsewhere in the Gospels Christ had a lot to teach about worry, as do the other Scriptures. Worry is a translation of the Greek word "merimna" which is also translated cares, concern, anxiety, distractions. It has the sense of turning over and over again in the mind which is exactly what we tend to do when we’re worried about a matter, isn't it? It's quite a contrast to "meditation" which has the sense of turning over and over words of Scripture such as indicated in Psalm 1:2, "and on His law (Word) He meditates day and night".
Worry can be both acute, our response to a specific situation of stress, or worry can be chronic bringing on an ongoing sense of uncertainty. It’s interesting to me the non-specific wording of the text simply states “the worries of the world”. In this context Christ does not attempt to list any of the sources that may cause worry.
Many of us can testify how worries have a choking impact upon us. In fact I find it an ongoing challenge. I wish I could declare that this is an issue in which I have completely overcome and reached full maturity but those pesky weeds of worry and doubt shoot up when I’m least expecting it. Other times I find myself unconsciously experiencing it. I must willfully pluck this overpowering weed from my mind so that it doesn’t choke out the fruit of faith that reminds me to trust in God and believe on His Word.
As I do so reassuring verses begin to fill my mind and calm my anxious heart such as, "God is my Refuge and Strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore I will not fear…." (Psalm 46); "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13); "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You" (Isaiah 26:3).
Finally it
occurs to me that when we cross to the other side not
worrying will no longer be a difficult discipline, but
will be a very natural way of life – no more worries, for
the old order of things will have passed away. Praise
God! But until then, let us purposefully cast
all our anxiety (merimna) on Him because He cares for us
(1 Peter 5:7).
Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, all my anxieties
and all my cares I bring to the mercy
seat and want to deposit them
there. You won't put me off nor is
it expected that I work it out in my own
way. Instead You demonstrate mercy and
compassion as You are strength in place
of my weakness, wisdom in place of my
lack of understanding and patience in
place of my impatient nature that could
lead me to worry and fret. So I look to
You, not myself or others, for the
answers to my present and ongoing
troubles, for a wise Spirit-directed
perspective in knowing how to deal with
them or how to lay them down and trust
You to work all things out for our good
and for Your glory though Christ Jesus
our Lord. Amen.One wrote, I believe it was D.L. Moody:
We can choose to travel this
earthly journey first or second class
based on Psalm 56:3. Second Class is 'When
I am afraid, I will trust in You'
or First Class is 'I will trust in
You.' In other words don’t choose
to trust in God only when you’re afraid,
but trust Him at all times, then you’re
less likely to be afraid!
Another
promise concerning today's message: "Do
not be anxious about anything, but in
every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus"
(Philippians 4:6,7).
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
What Do
You Do When You Worry All The Time?
Jay Adams (pdf) (I believe this
is the same material in the booklet, "What
To Do About Worry” referred to above.)
"All
Your Anxiety" Video
Grace Community Church (This old hymn has
such wonderful lyrics)
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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