God Is Never Worried

Worry is like hunger. It comes, and it goes. And it occurs just about as often.

How will I get through this meeting?
What if this is more than just a cold?
What if that's not heartburn?
Did I leave the iron on?
Did I leave the faucet dripping?
Do we have enough gasoline to make it?

This is about 20 minutes worth of worry for me. I don't even consider myself a worrier. Mostly, I tend to keep an even keel. But still, some of these things are important. Even if I'm not worried about 'me', I do have a family and I worry about 'them'. There is no end. Really.

Except that I have this huge desire to be like Jesus, and Jesus never worried. Isn't that something to think about?

Jesus never worried. Not about Lazarus. Not about Judas. Not about the cross. Not about if his precious mom would survive the entire experience. This is unbelievable. But true.

Worry is a sin, and Jesus had no sin. So what IN THE WORLD is the key?

1Jn 4:18 HNV
(18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.

This verse reads in this way: If I really loved - perfectly - I wouldn't fear, and therefore wouldn't worry. I think this is an improper translation.

How about this: if we knew Him as we should - because He IS perfect love - then we would have no fear. In your worst time, imagine that Jesus Himself was sitting right next to you. He could answer all questions in your mind, and you could read His expressions. During the diagnosis when most people would crumple in terror, you could look over at Jesus and He could shrug as if to say, "That's nothing. They think they know, but I have the final say." No fear.

Yeah, that would be nice, but....
But, I haven't read my bible in 2 years. I haven't been to church since Easter. I haven't prayed since I was a kid. Understandable.
Okay, well how about this: I pray every night and every morning, but 'this' morning... I missed because I got up late. Or, I've read the bible through 15 times but I'm taking a little break this week because I've been sick. Understandable.

In both cases, we deprive ourselves from our source of strength. Our lifeline. If I haven't sat in silent meditation and prayer enough to hear His voice, then I may not have enough Love to cast out all my fears. That's just the way it is.