Don't Worry, Be Happy...

I'm much too young to be able to have remembered this song but I find myself singing it from time to time. Mostly because I love the deep reggae sound but again the lyrics are refreshing when I'm struggling.
This past week has been rough. I've found myself in situations where all I can do is worry. However, after careful consideration, I realized that it was useless. Worry would get me nowhere. What's done is done and I haven't the control over it.
This leads me to an important discovery. I'm not the only one who worries. We know the Israelites did while wandering about in the desert for forty years. They were constantly bugging Moses with concerns. They worried needlessly about how they'd get about, what they'd eat, what would they drink, where they were going, when they'd get there, who would defend them. Worry, worry, worry. And for what? God always delivered. He always entertained these faithless people with wonders beyond comprehension. Again in the old testament God's greatest prophets worried as well. How would they tell the people of the impending doom that is about to befall them? How would they react? No doubt most of them feared for their lives. Yet, God didn't neglect them. He always came to the rescue and usually within the eleventh hour.
All this said, I don't want to act as if there is no validation in worry. We all do it, and usually without reservation. The problem is that we are human. We have a sense of self preservation and this overwhelming need to be in control and know the outcome of every situation. Let's face it... we not as big into surprises as we think we are. The kicker is that we DON'T have control over every situation and that is where we are totally dependent upon our faith.
What can we do?
The simple Sunday school answer is to trust God. But to be a little more realistic I'd say just recognize your worry for what it is. Once you can identify the trouble the situation will be easier to grasp. Start with an assessment of the situation. Is it as huge as you think it is? Is there anything you can do? If there is then begin to make a mental list of ways to approach it. Pray and seek counsel on courses of action. If there isn't anything you can do then, admit it. Release it the creator. Once you've released it all you can do is pray and plead the blood over it. Once you're free from the worry you'll be more enabled to handle whatever situation life throws at you.
Yes, I know it's easier said than done. Try this, think of a time when you worried relentlessly about a situation that seemed like nothing good would come of it. What happened? You survived right? Think of those times when you thought you weren't going to make it and then just a the last moment God comes flying in with a miracle. Now think of a situation in which you feel worried now... don't you think He's got that one too? In Romans 8:28 it is said that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Therefore, we can be confident that nothing can hurt God's people so deeply that he cannot turn it around for their good.
Worry starts in the mind.
Remember how we talked about taking thoughts into captivity? We used Philippians 4:8-Whatever is true, noble, just,pure,lovely...meditate on these things. In the verses preceding it says Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. To worry is to doubt God's ability to help. Instead we are counseled to tell God our needs. The peace of God's own being, which He shares with us, will guard our emotions and thoughts.
Blessings!