When I was a kid, I loved reading MAD magazine. It was edgy, sometimes dirty, and always low-brow. The \u201cspokesperson\u201d created by the writers was a fictitious character named Alfred E. Neuman, who\u2019s catchphrase was the grammatically mistaken phrase,\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat, me worry?\u201d<\/p>\n
We all worry. We worry about money, about our family, our friends, our community, politics, war, weather, our church. The end is listless, as they say. But doesn\u2019t it seem like there is always something more to worry about?<\/p>\n
Apparently, this is nothing new. Jesus teaches on this in the sermon on the mount, in Matthew 6:25-34<\/strong>. Three times he says, \u201cDo not be anxious,\u201d<\/strong> so we know that this is important. But this is not the end of his advice on this matter. Remember, in the sermon on the mount, his teaching style is to bring contrasts…\u201dYou\u2019ve heard this, but I tell you this…\u201d<\/strong> The \u201cbut\u201d is the important part. Whatever follows is what we need to do. We find the \u201cbut\u201d in verse 6:33, \u201cBut seek first his [God\u2019s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n So, when you catch yourself stressing out about something at work, about money, about someone in your family, be sure you stop and pray about the matter. Even though it won\u2019t completely stop you from worrying, it will remind you that God has not abandoned you and he\u2019s right there amid your situation. Prayer will calm you down and shift your perspective.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Blessings,<\/p>\n Pastor John<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When you catch yourself stressing out about something at work, about money, about someone in your family, be sure you stop and pray about the matter. Even though it may not completely stop you from worrying, it will remind you that God has not abandoned you and he\u2019s right there amid your situation. Continue reading