Don't Worry

Chances are you may have heard the song "Three Little Birds" by Reggae legend Bob Marley, you may not recognize the song by its title but nevertheless the song is a staple for beach bands and tourist audiences. Lots of folks that are familiar with the song, but aren't a Marley or Reggae fan, may have thought the title was something like "Don't Worry" or "Don't Worry About a Ting". You may have even thought the title could be "Everything is Going to Be Alright". Instead Marley gave us a simple song title with a simple message, yet a message containing advice that many of us are not able to follow. 

"Don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing is going to be alright", easier said than done right? How often are you part of a conversation where either the person you are chatting with or possibly you yourself bring up a subject that is causing you worry and stress? Maybe it's a health-related matter, or possibly a financial issue that is laying heavy on your mind. Worrisome matters could range from relationships, career, or family issues that are troubling your daily productivity. It doesn't really matter what the worry is, the crux of the matter is what are you gaining by sitting around idly worrying? Unfortunately, whatever is weighing heavy on your mind won't get better just because you are spending your precious time worrying about the matter, hoping it will be remedied, frozen by fear and uncertainty. 

 

For myself I practice what I like to describe as "active waiting". On the surface those two words don't sound like they go together, but I would contend that if you adhere to the Biblical principle of faith, waiting on God to answer your prayers isn't characterized by you sitting around waiting for God to solve all your problems and cure all your diseases. "Active" waiting basically means that while we are in the midst of something that is uncomfortable we move forward with confidence and an assurance that, yes, every little thing is going to be alright. Actively waiting on God to guide us through our life's circumstances means we aren't sitting around worrying about the present condition of our lives. In the Gospel of Matthew 6:27 Jesus questions us with, "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Instead of living in gloom and doom worrying about our current situation, we need to believe that God is at work in us and will be working through us. If we can adhere to that understanding then we move from someone stuck in the mud to someone that makes bricks out of the mud we have been given. Those bricks become the foundation of who God wants us to be through Him. 

 

Active waiting is not sitting back waiting on God to make right what is wrong in our lives today. You may be in the midst of a battle for your health, God doesn't say just sit back and I'll take care of everything. Instead he implores us to go out and bravely face the day and allow God to work through us for the benefit of others that need to see God. You may be stuck in a situation that you had no influence or part in happening, but God can use that situation to take you to the place He needs you to be. “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. “Jeremiah 17:7-8. Trust is the determining factor. Trusting in God builds faith and faith will not fail because we believe that whatever happens to us is nothing compared to what God is doing through us (Philippians 2:13).  

 

As we close today's thought may I impress upon you that I am not proposing that if we only believe then our struggles in this life will all disappear. Rather, my prayer is that by trusting that God is in control of all things, He will be with you and your trust is that whatever we are going through may very well be for the benefit of someone other than self. Jesus shared this comforting word with His disciples in John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid". Jesus didn't say He would snap His fingers and everything will be fine. Jesus promises peace unlike anything this world can know. "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." Philippians 4:6-7. This is the peace that God offers you and He offers it to me. Trust in God, lay down your burdens and allow Him to calm your weary mind. It may be tough to say it and firmly believe it, yet it is true. "Every little thing is gonna be alright!"

 

Coach Carter