Can a Christian worry and be afraid?
This one is easy. Absolutely! A Christian can worry and be afraid just like
anyone else.
But why should he?
It is true that Jesus was in anguish when He was praying to His Heavenly Father
prior to His arrest, so much so that His sweat was tinged with blood. This
condition is called hematidrosis and happens only in severe anxiety, which
causes the body to release chemicals that break down the tiny blood vessels in
the sweat glands. Having the foreknowledge of what was going to happen to Him,
it was quite normal for anxiety to overwhelm Him. "And being in anguish,
he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the
ground." (Luke 22:44 NIV)
However please notice how Jesus dealt with His anxiety: "Father, if you are
willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42
NIV)
Jesus brought all of His anxiety to His Heavenly Father and abided in God's
will. The result were astounding: "An angel from heaven appeared to him and
strengthened him." (Luke 22:43 NIV)
The same is true for us and even more. Because Jesus suffered like this, He can
identify with our suffering. He knows exactly what we are going through and is
willing to come to our help: "Because he himself suffered when he was
tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Heb 2:18 NIV); and
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we
are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with
confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time
of need." (Heb 4:15-16 NIV)
So why do we worry? Why are we afraid? Instead, let's follow Jesus' example.
Let's approach Him with confidence and hand Him all of our fears and anxiety so
that He can give us the rest that we need, for He has promised: "Come to me, all
you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28
NIV)
But does this really work? Let me share with you my own testimony on this that I
wrote as a devotional many months ago.
"One day this week the Lord approached me and asked, "Do you know why you have
problems sleeping at night?"
I replied: "I'm not sure. Maybe I'm getting old."
"Think again", He replied. "You are trying to carry your load of problems by
yourself!"
"But…Before going to bed I hand you over all my problems."
"You need to do more than that. Not by words only, but by deeds."
It's then that I realized that what was keeping me awake in the middle of the
night had nothing to do with my age. It had to do with my attitude towards God!
When I wake up in the night to answer nature's call, thoughts constantly bombard
me: "Don't forget you need to do this tomorrow....How will you solve that
upcoming problem?...How will you reach out to that person?..." And in my sleepy
state of mind I let those thoughts dwell in me until I am fully awake, worrying
about my own problems!
"But Lord, what should I do? How do I hand you over all my problems and let you
be the guide of my life?"
"Very simple. Renounce these thoughts in the name of Jesus and announce boldly
that those have been handed over to Jesus. It is His problems now, not your
own."
Wow! Thank you Jesus!
I applied what God told me, and my friend, it works! (I have been sleeping
soundly since then. I have not been using any sleeping pills since February 2004
and am able to sleep through the night!) Hallelujah! It is easier to not worry
as much when I am awake, but when I am sleepy my true nature is revealed: I am a
worrier and I wasn't even aware of it! Worrying is trying to solve my problems
by myself; worry is trying to be in control of everything. But worries never get
smaller. Instead, they multiply! Until one day you discover that you were never
in control of any situation! Dwelling on worries causes them, eventually, to
overtake us.
What is the solution?
Jesus is! Here is what He said to all of us, worriers: Matt 11:28-30 "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." NIV
Rest is only possible if we hand over all of our problems, all of our worries,
all of our burdens to Jesus, not only in words, but also in deeds. Handing over
our worries to Jesus means not dwelling on them any longer and boldly announcing
that these problems are now in the hands of Jesus. Handing over our worries to
Jesus means trusting Jesus to solve them -- 100%! Handing our worries over to
Jesus is confessing that He is faithful and He will always come through for us.
The results? Christ "will give us rest". We will be able to sleep through our
worst troubles, because we will know who is at the helm of our life. We will be
able to be at peace even during daytime.
If God is our guide, then why worry?
Jesus encourages us to take His yoke and to learn from Him. Why? A yoke was used
to tie two animals (generally cows or horses) together for the purpose of doing
heavy toil. A yoke had two bows, one for each animal. Jesus' invitation is
inferring that He will do all the pulling. He will take the lead in our life. He
will be pulling all of our burdens. All we have to do is follow Him and learn
from Him. Only then will we find rest for our souls.
Isn't Jesus awesome!
Would you like to experience that promised rest? Then stop worrying. Instead,
hand over all of your worries to Jesus. Enjoy your good night of sleep! Accept
Jesus into your heart and experience His inner peace in you. Come and answer His
call at http://www.answers2prayer.org/saviours_call.html "
Jesus assured us not to worry and He explains why so clearly:
Matt 6:25-7:1 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you
will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more
important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds
of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your
heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who
of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field
grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his
splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of
the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he
not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying,
'What shall we eat?' Or 'What shall we drink?' Or 'What shall we wear?' For the
pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need
them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
NIV
It is so clear after we read this why we should not worry. Instead Jesus
encourages us to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness". It's only when
we seek for Jesus and hand Him over our worries that we will experience His
promised "rest". The just mentioned text even adds "and all these things will
be given to you as well'. God is our provider! He is faithful and will come
through for us. Worries only put doubts in our relationship with our Maker. If
Jesus promises us something, we can be assured that He will deliver! He is
faithful! So faithful that He died the agonizing death of the cross, so that we
could have an everlasting relationship with Him.
Some Christians, especially in our western world, are scared to testify. One of
the number one concerns in the west is "rejection". We fear rejection so much
that we prefer to be quiet when the opportunity offers itself to witness to
someone. Read what Jesus has to say about this: "I tell you, my friends, do
not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But
I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of
the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."
(Luke 12:4-5)
When we first read this text, we can be somewhat confused. But if we look at the
context, the text explains itself: "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?
Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are
all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. I
tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also
acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will
be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the
Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven. When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and
authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you
will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
(Luke 12:6-12 NIV)
The whole context is about witnessing. Jesus is telling us here that we do not
need to worry and fear witnessing when opportunities are offered to us. He will
do all the leading. We do not need to be afraid of the consequences. God is with
us! The worst that can be done to us is to be martyred for the cause of Christ.
But what is loosing one's life when you can spend eternity with the Lord? We can
identify with the apostle Paul when He said: "For to me, to live is Christ and
to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful
labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two:
I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more
necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I
will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in
the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will
overflow on account of me. (Phil 1:21-26 NIV)
Why worry about martyrdom if right after we die we can be with Jesus in heaven?
We have nothing to worry; especially since God's Spirit is guaranteed to help
us!
Our only worry should be to fear the Lord! (See "What is the fear of the Lord?
Is it also mentioned in the New Testament?" For a complete understanding of
this). He is the One who makes a difference in our life. He is the One who will
take care of all of our worries. He will provide! He is faithful! Hallelujah!
The decision is now who should I trust? Should I trust the Lord who has always
come through for me or should I trust my worries who lead me to sleepless
nights?
What will be your choice?
Rob Chaffart
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Of course being human sinners we worry about finances, our loved ones. We are afraid of the unknown and of things that scare us. BUT, the Lord doesn't want us to worry. There is no need to worry if we believe in him.
The Bible says “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Words of Christ Jesus, Matthew 6:25-34 NIV)
DeeDee
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NO....
We are supposed to cast our cares upon God!!! 1st Peter 5:7 KJV Casting ALL your
cares upon him; for he careth for you...
Although most all of us do worry and we are afraid....
Wendell Blackburn
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Unfortunately, yes! It's human nature, and it's in the bible in both Old and New Testament's. Even though scripture advice's us to 'worry not and be not afraid', the adversary finds our weak spots and attack's ruthlessly to weaken us. I used to be called a 'worry wort', but 2 near death experience's have taken me to the place where I place my life in the hands of the Lord as best I can. Now with both brain and body damaged unlike anyone else, I HAVE to seek God in everything I do. I just want other's to know t that they don't need to go through such a thing to get here.
Brother Greg
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Yes, unfortunately many Christians do worry and are afraid. Despite repeated encouragement in scripture to not worry neither be afraid. Paul writes ti Timothy in 2 Tim. 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of "fear": but of power, love & a sound mind. So we know fear if not from God is from satan. Also, Peter admonishes us To cast all our care on Him for He careth for us,1 Peter 5:7. Yes although we as Christians worry & fear, God has given us the power and ability to overcome these 2 enemies of the soul. Other scripture references:Phil. 4:6-7 and Isaiah 41:10. Don't worry or take care, let God take care of you! Psalms 55:22.
John B.
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We can but the Father tells, commands, us not to. He wants us to give Him our
problems and worries and allow Him to take care of them in His own way and time.
Linda Shepherd
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I think they can. I am not saying it is right or the way it should be, as the Bible tells us not to worry but " TRUST IN GOD" for all our needs. I think the devil sneaks up on Christians and before we know it we begin to worry, and become afraid of whatever we feel may harm us.
Cille
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As a Christian we will not be worry and afraid. In all things we must focus to Our God Jesus Christ, Philippians 4:6-7 to remain us to put all things by prayer with thanks giving.
Rita
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Can a Christian worry and be afraid?
Sure. Yes. Right on. Better said is should a Christian worry and have fear? That
answer is a resounding NO! Worry comes from the heart of a man who is doubtful
about tomorrow. GOD is not changing things and has the world in HIS hands so why
worry? Concern, mube but worry implies dread or terror for the health of you or
yours. Jesus when asked in Matthew 10:16-42, dealt with this subject.
1. Sheep among wolves...not a pretty picture there so the teaching was that GOD
would protect us.
2. Be aware of men shrewd as serpents, delivering us to the courts (speaks to
today )
3. Fear not when taken to these trials of man..." be not anxious...for it will
be given you in that hour"
4. Vs 26.." therefore do fear them for there is nothing covered that will not be
revealed or hidden that will not be known" so why fear them? Fear GOD this is
the beginning of wisdom...Proverbs 1:7.
The overwhelming message from Scripture is that worry is a waste of time and
fear needs to be fear of GOD, all else is in GODS' hands.
Can a Christian worry and fear, yes; should they? No. We worry and fear for we
understand not the GOD we serve and worship.
Donald Hawks
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OF COURSE!!!! I was known as a 'worry wort', even after my salvation at age 21 in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. Marrying my P.H. wife a few months later, helped, but didn't solve the problem. Now after 2 near death's this past 7 year's and with brain and body damaged severely, I don't worry- I just get FRUSTRATED!!! Why? Because I'm just human, is all. And the adversary finds any way it can to get to us who are dedicated to the Lord, Typing is a trial- even with 3 college degree's and lots of certificate's as I struggled to be the 'best in the West'. I pray a lot more now and read my Bible each night as well as spending time doing this.
Greg
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If we have given our lives over to God then a Christian trusts in God and
therefore lives free from worry and being afraid. These Scriptures are a few
that tell us when we seek His kingdom we do not have to fear or worry about what
comes to us in life.
Psalm 127:2 I
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
Matthew 6:25-33
"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food,
drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? [26]
Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns
because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him
than they are. [27] Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of
course not. [28] "And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how
they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, [29] yet Solomon in all his
glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. [30] And if God cares so
wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more
surely care for you? You have so little faith! [31] "So don't worry about having
enough food or drink or clothing. [32] Why be like the pagans who are so deeply
concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs,
[33] and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and
make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
Philip. 4:6-7
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you
need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] If you do this, you will experience
God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His
peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Luke 12:22-31
Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "So I tell you, don't worry about
everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. [23] For
life consists of far more than food and clothing. [24] Look at the ravens. They
don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And
you are far more valuable to him than any birds! [25] Can all your worries add a
single moment to your life? Of course not! [26] And if worry can't do little
things like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things? [27] "Look at
the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet
Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. [28] And if
God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow,
won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! [29] And don't
worry about food—what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it
for you. [30] These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father
already knows your needs. [31] He will give you all you need from day to day if
you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. 34Wherever your treasure is,
there your heart and thoughts will also be.
1 Peter 5:7
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.
"Live life to the fullest" Have a Blast!!" Jesus came to give abundant LIFE.
Pastor Dennis
