I'm a worrier

  I’m a worrier. From the time I was just a young lad until today. I worry. About just about everything there is to worry about. And a whole lot of things that no one needs to worry about. I worry about my health and the health of my family. I worry about money. Will I have enough to pay both Charter and Georgia Power, because; forbid the thought that I should not pay my monthly Homeowner Association dues. Then I would worry about having my name plastered on the Welcome Center marquee for all of McDonough to see.

  I worry about doing a good job for my employer and if I am doing my job correctly…and on time…and with a courteous smile…and being helpful enough to co-workers and if I’m pulling my weight. I worry about being too early for meetings or too late. I worry about how the things I write here, post on Facebook or my website affects my family and my church….because, I tend to be too honest at times and there are some people that find my “gospel according to Jimmy” somewhat quirky, so that gives me more to worry about. I worry about my testimony for Christ and that I’m doing any good, for any purpose, for anyone. When I write, lead workshops or speak to groups, do people take me seriously or merely tolerate me. I worry about that. When I was a small child, I made a sign for our refrigerator at home that said, “I am the best Christian that someone knows.” And it had a picture of my little 3^rd grade self underneath. I hope and pray that I don’t blow it and provide a poor example of what a Christian should be.

  Naturally, the world situation, the political mess of our country/state/local governments, insurance fraud, crime, crazy drivers, drugs and most anything that involves people gives me cause to worry…and even though I can do nothing about any of it, I still worry. I especially worry about the state of the Church these days. Not a specific church, but the Christian Church as an entity. Are we sitting back and letting governments and special interest groups dictate our beliefs and behavior? If we continue to sit back and let it happen, how long will the rights of Christians even be considered and we become the criminals. Do you see what I mean when I say I worry?

  I am supposed to follow the guidelines in the Bible, the Holy Scriptures of God, and they tell me several things about worry.

  “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34)

  “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

  “Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders. He’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out.” (Psalm 55:22)

  So, if I listen to what God tells me to do and, most importantly, trust in God as I should, I should have no reason to spend so much time in worry. If I live the life that God asks me to live, doing the best I can to Love God, Love Others and Live Simply, then all things will fall into line according to His plan for my life.

  That’s what I’m working on these days. Worry Less and Trust God More. How about you?

  And for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.