Division

I did ok with math when I was in school. I was able to keep up with it until my teacher introduced division; that’s when things began to change. Long division and I never got along. Fortunately I no longer have to worry about taking a math test. I’ve come to learn that division is not just bad when it comes to homework, but to life in general. 

In Luke 10 Jesus visited the house of his friends, siblings Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. Jesus was causally talking and teaching everyone in the room, which included Mary, who sat at Jesus’ feet and hung on His every word. In the other room, Martha was frantically busying herself making arrangements. Food had to be prepared, the kitchen was a dump, and where were all these disciples going to sleep? Exasperated, Martha interrupted Jesus and demanded that He tell Mary to give her a hand with the chores. 

Jesus responded, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things (Luke 10:41).” When we hear that word worried we might think of someone is stressing over the unknown, but it actually has a different meaning. The Greek word means, “part, portion, or division.” Martha was at her wit’s end because her mind was so divided. On the one hand, she no doubt loved Jesus every bit as Mary did and would have loved to sit at Jesus’ feet as well; on the other hand, she knew there was much to take care of around the house. To be fair to Mary, she probably had no problem helping her sister; she wasn’t being lazy, but neither was she divided.

Mary made up her mind that the most important thing she could do in that moment was sit and listen to Jesus. Martha’s mind was divided, and she ended up making the wrong choice. Every day, and especially on Sundays, we have a choice to make. We can worship Jesus in spirit and truth, or we can allow our minds to be divided and focus on a million other things. We can tune out the world in order to pray, sing, study, or serve, or we can allow the things of this world to take center stage in our minds. Have you ever tried to worship and worry at the same time? Can you effectively worship and daydream? If our minds are divided we might as well stop trying to worship because we are wasting our time.

God wants our undivided attention, so we need to set aside time—as well as distractions—and worship Him.

Anxiety

The word anxious is often used the wrong way. People will frequently say they are anxious when they are looking forward to something:

“I’m really anxious about getting my income tax return!”

What they really mean is that they are eager (unless, like me, you were worried that you would owe more to the government). Anxious actually means the opposite of eager. Like when people say, “I could care less” instead of, “I couldn’t care less,” they are saying the opposite of what they mean.

To be anxious means to have anxiety; the dictionary defines it this way: “full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried.”

Quite the opposite of eagerness, anxiousness is not something we like. Unfortunately, it is also something many people deal with on a daily basis.

An anxious mind is like a weight that drags us down, causing us exhaustion and robbing us of joy. But our Creator did not intend for us to live life this way. Most things we worry and fear about never come to pass, and even if they do, wait until then to deal with it. Don’t worry yourself sick.

Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” If someone you know is being weighed down by anxiety, search for a good word to make them glad.

A compliment can complement what God has already spoken. Remind them they are loved by God, that He demonstrated His love for them on the cross, and that if they are His followers they have heaven to look forward to. Their sins have been forgiven and there is now no condemnation for them. They are invited into a relationship with the King of the Universe, they are adopted as His child, and the good work that He began in them will be completed. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother, never leaving or forsaking those who live for Him.

In addition to the theological truths, looks for a kind word to say to someone today. Even the smallest of positive remarks can lift the heaviest burdens. Come along side those with anxious hearts and bear their care; a simple word can ease their load, straighten their back, and give them peace of mind—a peace that passes all understanding and makes hearts glad. 

Don't Worry

How much good has ever been accomplished by worry?

Think about it: did worrying about the economy get you a raise? Did worrying about that odd noise under the hood of your car make it go away? Did worrying about final exam help you get a passing grade?

Of course not. Worry has never helped us; in fact, it only hurts us.

Worry adds stress, which leads to ulcers, panic attacks, nervous breakdowns, and loss of sleep. But the worst part about worry is that it conveys to God that we don’t trust Him.

The God who takes care of the birds and flowers will also take care of us, but when we choose to worry and fret we are acting as if God is not capable of sorting out our problems.

Luke 12:25 poses this rhetorical question for believers: “And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

Whether it is a person in a hospital bed who fears the end is in sight, or if it is a young child who fears death, we cannot lengthen our lives by worrying about it. Instead of wasting time worrying, why not make the most of what time we have, namely the present?

And when you feel tempted to worry, remember that God has taken that responsibility away from us. Just trust Him to do what is right. But above all, don’t worry. 

Don't Worry

How much good has ever been accomplished by worry?

Think about it: did worrying about the economy get you a raise? Did worrying about that odd noise under the hood of your car make it go away? Did worrying about final exam help you get a passing grade?

Of course not. Worry has never helped us; in fact, it only hurts us.

Worry adds stress, which leads to ulcers, panic attacks, nervous breakdowns, and loss of sleep. But the worst part about worry is that it conveys to God that we don’t trust Him.

The God who takes care of the birds and flowers will also take care of us, but when we choose to worry and fret we are acting as if God is not capable of sorting out our problems.

Luke 12:25 poses this rhetorical question for believers: “And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

Whether it is a person in a hospital bed who fears the end is in sight, or if it is a young child who fears death, we cannot lengthen our lives by worrying about it. Instead of wasting time worrying, why not make the most of what time we have, namely the present?

And when you feel tempted to worry, remember that God has taken that responsibility away from us. Just trust Him to do what is right. But above all, don’t worry.