FIRE!

For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifer of silver.
(Malachi 3:2-3)

Jen: Loved the post about worry. It's kicking my tail also...every moment, every day. You totally inspired me to post some random quotes and notes from the Biblical counseling conference I recently attended...convicting to the core! So, I hope you don't mind if I pour a little gasoline on the fire you built?! After all, so little time, so many things for me to worry over lately: dad's health, my health, moving, thesis.

Worry defined: From the Greek word merimnao: "a divided mind". Worry is not to be confused with diligent care and concern over your responsibilities, but godly concern is always a step away from sinful worry.

Your Godly Concern becomes Sinful Worry when:
a) Your thoughts are focused on changing the future
b) Your thoughts are unproductive (spin cycle)
c) It controls you instead of you controlling it
d) It causes you to neglect your God-given responsibilities and relationships
e) It starts to damage your body
f) You start losing hope instead of finding answers
g) You shut down and stop functioning

1) Worry is sinful. (Ex. 20:3) Worry flies in the face of God. Who is being God? When I am experiencing anxiety, the root issue is that I'm trying to to be self-sufficient. In Matt. 6:19-34 J.C. forbids worry THREE times.

2) Worry is idolatry and the solution is repentance (Matt. 6:19-25). Idolatry is worshiping something/someone other than the true, living God. Worry expresses idolatry in the heart. In times of worry, I tend to have an inordinate focus on things, goals, or people. Jesus says I cannot serve God and something/someone else simultaneously! The answer to worry is being consumed with great thoughts of God.

Idol: anything or anyone that captures my heart, mind, and affections more than God. It's living on substitutes. It's exchanging the one true living God for a counterfeit.

3) Worry is unbelief and the solution is faith (Matt. 6:25-34)

• Worriers are people of "little faith", as described by J.C. in vs. 30.


• Worry is the fruit of remaining unbelief and doubt in a Christian.


• The fruit of repentance for me, the worrier will be manifesting faith in God by disciplining my mind to focus on: God's care, God's omniscience, and God's promises (Rom. 8:32, 1 Pet. 1:3) and pleasing God by caring for TODAY'S responsibilities.
  

4) The idolatry and unbelief of worry should be replaced by a worship of and faith in God through:

• Right praying (Phil. 4:6, 7)


• Right thinking (Phil. 4:8)


• Right acting (Phil. 4:9)
  

"Central to worry is the illusion that we can control things...Worry assumes the possibility of control over the uncontrollable...When we can't control something we worry about it." (David Powlison)

Sources: "Worry & Fear: The Accepted Sins" by Pastor Brad Bigney, Grace Fellowship Church, Florence, KY.; Jupiter images; Bible Gateway (ESV)