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Worry is self-focused, self-centered; it’s about self-preservation. It’s an obvious lack of trust in God’s provision, his Word, his truth. As a follower of Christ, if you’ve accepted Christ into your life, worry is a sign that you are too full of self. Jesus requires us to die to self.

“He must become greater; I must become less.”  John 3:30
“To live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Worry opposes hope. Jesus is hope. It makes sense for those without Christ’s power to worry. Living with the fruit of the Spirit is often irrational, illogical and unnatural. To be filled with the Spirit of God is to be exude HIS love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. It’s not something we can manufacture. We can’t just try harder. We need more of Him and less of us. To have peace and faith and joy in the midst of a storm or facing an unknown is only possible through the Spirit,

Christ in you is the hope of glory! Colossians 1:27
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

If we choose to worry and focus inward, we make the enemy’s job so easy. He doesn’t even have to do ANYTHING. We’re choosing our human nature, rejecting all of the hope, faith, and freedom that Christ died for. Jesus didn’t die just for us to be able to go to heaven when we die. He was beaten and crushed for us to have life ABUNDANT now, not just after we die. He died for us to have life and forgiveness and freedom from iniquities and emotional & physical healing NOW. Don’t cheapen what He did by only accepting part of His gift.

“The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
He was pierced for our transgressions [all Christians believe that], he was crushed for our iniquities [simply dying would have saved us from our sins], by his wounds we are healed [most Christians don’t believe this] Isaiah 53:5

Worry makes you look like a coward because you act as if you are powerless. If you know Christ, if you know his Word, you should know the power of the Living God and the authority we have through Jesus. Worry makes you look like an atheist. When you worry, you look just the rest of the world; like you believe there is no God, like there is no reason to have hope for things unseen. Christians, we should know better!

“Hope that is seen is no hope at all.” Romans 8:24
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

On August 9th I twittered the title of this post, a quote from Pastor Lindell from his sermon on “The Test of Trust” about Abraham. Someone I don’t know, @LilHappyHeathen, replied “How are atheists worried?” I never had a chance to respond because I always forget to check my twitter responses. I hope this clarifies. It’s not that atheists are worried, it’s that Christians who worry are denying God. It’s not circular.

key: direct quotes, paraphrase, [interjections]

If you want to find the Lindell Cooley’s podcast from 8/9/09 on trust and worry, try this link to subscribe through iTunes. If that doesn’t work, search for Lindell Cooley podcast in iTunes.