Quick Devotional on Worry 3

Quick Devotional on Worry 3

Selected Scriptures

<Establish the Need> We have looked at bad worries but is there such thing as a good worry?

Purpose: We will answer three questions to help us with worrying.

• Is there a godly kind of “worry?”
• How do you tell you have ungodly worries?
• How do you tell you have godly worries?

 

Is there a godly kind of “worry?”

1. Proof:
   1. In the last session we saw the Greek noun for worry is “μέριμνα”
   2. The noun form is always used in the negative sense.[1]
   3. When it comes to the verbal form of the word most of the nineteen times it is used the meaning is negative but it is also sometimes used in a positive sense in restricted situations.[2]
   4. We will look at those instance where the verb is used positively.
   5. “so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.” (1 Corinthians 12:25)
      1. The verb translated “care” in Greek is μεριμνάω, the verbal form of the noun μέριμνα for worry.
      2. Here in the Geek there is a strong contrast presented between two situation: “division in the body,” versus “the members may have the same care for one another.”
      3. Obviously “division in the body” is a bad thing in God’s eyes.
      4. Instead of that Paul wants believers who are church “members may have the same care for one another”
      5. The verb “care” is a subjunctive verb and has the idea of “let us have care.”
      6. In other words the subjunctive is encouraging believers to care for others.
   6. “For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:20-21)
      1. Here Paul is speaking about Timothy (19).
      2. Here Paul is giving the reason why he is sending Timothy to the chuch in Philippi.
      3. The reason is because Timothy is someone “who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare” (20b).
      4. The verb translated “concerned” in Greek is μεριμνάω, the verbal form of the noun μέριμνα for worry.
      5. Here we see concern or worrying about others is a commendable thing and qualification for someone to minister to the chuch in Philippi.
      6. Also notice “concerned for your welfare” (20b) is contrasted with the action of others who “seek after their own interests” in v.21.
      7. Yet this concern also puts Christ first since verse 21 talks about having the concern of “those of Christ”
   7. “But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:32-34)
      1. This verse sometimes is misunderstood by some to think marriage is a bad thing; but it is not.
      2. Here the passage makes it clear that those who are married would naturally have concern for their spouse and that’s a good thing.
      3. Paul is being realistic about marriages and singleness here.
   8. While using another verb we also see Paul also describe his concern for the churches: “Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:28)
   9. Summarizing our passages we see here that it is biblical to care for others that God entrusts to us.[3]
2. Practice:
   1. We need to know that there is a good kind of worry because there is also a wrong kind of care-free worry-less attitude too!
   2. This is needed lest we think we don’t have to love people.

 

How do you tell you have ungodly worries?

1. Proof:
   1. Sign 1: You don’t trust in God: “Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8)
      1. Notice the verse commands “Trust in Him at all times”
      2. If we don’t trust in Him we are breaking His command and therefore we are sinning.
      3. Is there a time we can’t trust in Him? The verse says we should always trust in Him!
      4. The reason why we can trust in God is because “God is a refuge for us.”
      5. Sometimes we can say no we do believe in God; but practically you don’t trust in God’s provision in your life.[4]
   2. Sign 2: “When things don’t work out the way you plan, you get angry.”[5]
      1. Anger is sometimes the “cousin” to ungodly worry.
      2. There’s a place to plan but that doesn’t mean we disregard God’s will might be different; that’s the point of James 4:13-15.
   3. Sign 3: You don’t obey God: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
      1. We should obey God because we love Him and He loves us.
      2. But if we have ungodly worry “You make up excuses for why certain commands of the Bible are not applicable to your life.” [6]
   4. Sign 4: Your worries rob you of hope
      1. Remember a believer’s hope is in God: ““And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.” (Psalm 39:7)
      2. Yet when we worry in such a way that we lose hope and lose hope in God that is not what God wants us to experience!
2. Practice:
   1. Do you have these kinds of worries?
   2. If ungodly worry is a sin then therefore the first thing you need to do is confess your sins to God.
   3. Be on the look-out for the symptoms of ungodly worry.

 

 

How do you tell you have godly worries?

1. Proof:
   1. Sign 1: You are concern about others: “For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.” (Philippians 2:20)
      1. You are concern about others!
      2. You are also concern for their welfare and their genuine well-being.
   2. Sign 2: You are concern about Christ
      1. Remember Philippians 2:21 talks about having the concern of “those of Christ”
      2. Thus Godly concern would have the priority of Christ then others than our own interests.
   3. Sign 3: You pray: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
      1. With all the godly worries a believer has, a believer takes it to the Lord.
      2. Notice this verse teaches that we can pray to God about everything.
2. Practice:
   1. Do you have concern for others?
   2. Do you prioritize what Christ wants over others?
   3. Do you also pray?

 

Conclusion: The Best Example of Godly concern is Jesus Christ; going to the Cross He was concerned about God’s glory and also loved those whom He will saved and yes He prayed to God.  Will you at this time see your need for a Savior in Christ Jesus?  Trust in Him today!

 

 

[1] “μέριμνα” The New International Dictionary of the New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Second Edition), (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014), 3:278.

[2] “μέριμνα” The New International Dictionary of the New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Second Edition), (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014), 3:278.

[3] “μέριμνα” The New International Dictionary of the New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Second Edition), (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2014), 3:279.

[4] Phil Moser, Safe in the Storm (Biblical Strategies, 2013), 18.

[5] Source: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/15-signs-you-dont-let-god-control-your-life.

[6] Source: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/15-signs-you-dont-let-god-control-your-life.