don't worry...

 Yesterday, our pastor preached a really good sermon about worry. He started by sharing this statistic... 92% of the things we worry about are things that will never happen, things we have absolutely no control over, or things that have already happened. So, worrying really is just a waste of time and energy. But, as he pointed out, according to Phil. 4: 6-7, it is also disobedience.

 "Be anxious for nothing" is not a suggestion or a recommendation, it is a command. A better translation is..."You do not be anxious..." He continued by saying that Paul doesn't stop with the command, but gives us the means by which we can resist the urge to worry...and that is prayer... "By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God."

 The word for prayer here refers to the act of worship...
acknowledging who God is...and that reminds us that He is greater than any need we might have. Then, after bringing the need to Him, we thank Him for meeting that need according to His will. Because we know His will is always the best for us.

  The result is... "the peace that passes all understanding will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus." The word "guard" here means "protect". God desires to protect our hearts and minds from worry...if we will surrender it to Him.

He included this passage in his message. It is a great illustration...and it is true!

In Whose Hands Are You?
A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Kobe Bryant's hands is worth about $20 million.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Derek Jeter’s hands is worth $15 million.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Roger Federer’s hands is a Wimbledon Championship.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.

A slingshot in my hands is a kid’s toy.
A slingshot in David’s hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.

Two fish and five loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and five loaves of bread in God’s hands will feed thousands.

It depends on whose hands it’s in.
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends on whose hands it’s in.

As you see now, it depends on whose hands it’s in. So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families, and your relationships in God’s hands because, you see, it depends on whose hands it’s in.
-- Author Unknown