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CONCERN VS WORRY

4-26-09
Ezekiel  3:18-19

    As Christians we’re often taught that if we aren’t worrying about everything from the hungry children in Africa to an unchurched neighbor down the street, we’re unconcerned and unspiritual.  In fact, with tragedies and sorrows being vividly presented to us twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, feeling happy seems somehow sinful.  Pressure to assume such an obligation is subtle but strong and it’s too much.  We begin to feel bad about feeling good.  We begin to feel guilty for not feeling guilty.

    One writer described it this way: “Some saints can’t enjoy a meal because the world is starving.  They can’t joyfully thank God for their clothing and shelter because the world is naked and homeless.  They are afraid to smile because of the world’s sadness.  They can’t enjoy their own salvation because of the world’s lost ones.  They can’t enjoy an evening at home with their families because they think they ought to be out “saving souls.”  They can’t spend an hour with a non-Christian without feeling guilty if they haven’t preached a sermon.  They think the Gospel is “good news” until you obey it and then it becomes an endless “guilt-trip.”

    There are leisure centers, sports centers, entertainment centers and guilt centers.  Too often these guilt centers are called “churches.”

    One human being can’t take on the problems of the world.  That kind of dutiful compulsion leads to depression.  This, in turn, leads to frustration and eventually resentment.  Finally our body and mind simply shut down.

    The overload causes us to become so numb that we can’t feel anything and so paralyzed that we can’t achieve anything.  What’s the solution?

    Well, Jesus described a very different attitude and life-style.  He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).

    In fact, the Scriptures are very clear that Christians are entitled to happiness.  We are actually commanded to have joy.  The Psalmist said, “Let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy . . .” (Psa.  5:11a);

    “But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you . . .” (Psa.  40:16a);

    “Happy indeed are those whose God is the Lord” (Psa. 144:15, nlb).

    Jesus was even more specific.  He said, “Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you . . . Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid–stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated . . .” (John 14:27, amp).

    He described his own joy and wanted to share it with us.  He said, “I have told them many things while I was with them so they would be filled with my joy” (John 17:13, nlb).

    Paul said, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Phil.  4:4, nlb).

    It’s obvious, therefore, that feeling good and having pleasure is okay.  But how do we balance compassion and responsibility with personal gratification and relaxation?

    That can be difficult.  But, we can avoid worry and still have concern by doing three things.

I.  FIRST, REFUSE TO WORRY ABOUT THINGS YOU CAN’T CONTROL.

    These include obvious events such as the weather and natural phenomenon.  They also include circumstances outside our area of knowledge and expertise, such as the results of brain surgery, if we’re not a doctor.  But they also include other people’s choices and behavior.  You can’t “fix” your family and associates.  They have to do that.

    God gives each individual autonomy and a free will.  Even Jesus couldn’t control the decision of the Rich Young Ruler.  He said, “ ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.’  When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Matt. 19:21-22).

    Jesus couldn’t control the response of the city of Jerusalem.  He said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing” (Matt.  23:37).

    An old Chinese peasant was walking home with a stick on his shoulder.  Hanging on one end of the stick was a pot full of soup.  Unfortunately, he stumbled in a hole and the jar fell and broke into a dozen pieces.  The old man kept going unperturbed.  A spectator rushed up and yelled, “Old fellow, don’t you know that your jar broke and spilled your soup?”

    “Yes,” the peasant replied.  “I heard it fall!”

    “Well, why don’t you stop and do something about it”

    “That would be foolish,” he replied, without missing a step.  “The jar is broken.  The soup is gone.  What can I do about it?”

    Refuse to worry about things you can’t control.

II.  NEXT, REFUSE TO WORRY AFTER YOU’VE DONE ALL YOU CAN.

    Mayo Angelo said, “Most people do the best they know how to do at the moment, and when they know better, they do better.”  So, second guessing yourself is useless.  Do all you are able to do and then release the situation to others and to God.

    Some people feel guilty when they have to take a parent to the Nursing Home.  Others, because they can’t be in two places at once—at work and at a child’s game.  Ezekiel explained that we have a limited obligation when it comes to those around us.  He said, “If you do not . . . speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.  Yet if you have warned the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness . . . he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself” (Ezek.  3:18-19, nas).

    Paul also knew there are limits to our obligation to shape social relationships.  He said, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Rom.  12:18).

    Trying to force another person to change is like trying to push a rope.  Picture a ten foot  piece of rope and your job is to push it fifty yards down the field to the finish line.  How many years would that take?

    It’s the same with pushing people.  You can advise and encourage.  You can provide an example.  You can lead, but the final decision is up to the individual.  You can’t make choices for adults.  It’s very hard to watch them make a train wreck of their lives, but it’s not your responsibility.  Refuse to be anxious about things when you’re done the best you can.

III.  FINALLY.  REFUSE TO LOOK AT PLEASURE AND PRODUCTIVITY AS OPPOSITES.

    These two are not mutually exclusive.  In fact, they can be synonymous.  Nothing is more pleasurable than accomplishment and success.  We can be concerned and find ways to fill needs, solve problems and help people that will give us great enjoyment and satisfaction.

    Solomon said, “Being kind to the needy brings happiness” (Prov. 14:21, edb);

    He also said, “I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God” (Ecc.  3:12-13).

    Jesus tells us we should rejoice over a job well done.  He said, “The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!” (John 4:36).

    Jesus even recommends a party to celebrate the return of the Prodigal Son.  “We had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:32).

    A man named Ed worked for the city electric company.  One of his duties was to repair lines on stormy nights.  When Ed came home, he would be soaking wet, chilled, and bone-tired.  His wife would tell him that she worried about him and wished he didn’t have such a hard and dangerous job.  Ed would say, “Don’t worry about me.  I’m okay.  And besides, I just love to see those lights come on.”

    What a wonderful way to view your work.  Here was a person who found joy in a difficult and even unpleasant job.  He refused to look at pleasure and productivity as opposites.

    So, don’t worry about things you can’t control.  Don’t worry about things once you’ve done all you can; and don’t think of pleasure and productivity as opposites.

    Remember this: No one has been given a responsibility to care for the whole world.  Our task is to care for the person near us who is in need.  Jesus didn’t heal every sick person.  He didn’t feed every hungry person.  He didn’t witness to every lost person.  Instead, he helped people one at a time.  There were occasions, certainly, when he preached to the multitudes, but there are many more examples of private conferences with individuals.  You will not be able to care for everyone, but you will be able to care for someone.

    Edward Hale wrote:  “I am only one, but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but, still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

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(WC1625)
Copyrighted 2009 by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK.  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THIS MESSAGE IN ANY WAY YOU THINK IS APPROPRIATE.  The only thing we ask is that you give credit for original material in PUBLISHED works.

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Miles E Wesner