Don't Worry 13 - Get Your Thinking Straight (C)

13. Get your thinking straight: See the problem in perspective and be realistic

What’s the worst that can happen? And what is really likely to happen? I once prepared a Bible study about worrying — and then caught myself worrying about how it would be received! Whether it would be really boring and unhelpful for those attending, whether it would be too short or too long, and so on. Forcing myself to think realistically I realised that it would probably be at least of some use to them, because considering these things had helped me. It might be a bit boring, but I felt sure they could live with that! It didn't really matter how long it was. And even if I should completely dry up, or they found it too obvious or even completely wrong — I knew that they would be kind and supportive because we were brothers and sisters in Christ.

Somehow our devils are never quite what we expect when we meet them face to face. (Nelson DeMille)

I think Jacob fell into the trap of getting things out of perspective and losing a sense of reality, when he returned to meet Esau after 15 years or more with Laban. Perhaps there was some excuse for him because the last he’d heard from Esau were words of hate. Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, "The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob." (Genesis 27:41)  But Jacob had God’s promise: Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you." (Genesis 31:3)

We read in Genesis 32:7-8, In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well. He thought, "If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape." At least he then prayed — but remember then how he sent his family and gifts of animals ahead of him to pacify Esau.

In the end, though, all his fears were unfounded. But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. (Genesis 33:4)

Don't Worry 12 - Get Your Thinking Straight (B)

Another way for Christians to avoid worry.

12. Get your thinking straight: get the facts right

We need to train our minds to think rationally. Sometimes we worry about impossibilities … things that can never happen. As a simple example, it’s not much use - at least in this country - worrying that our child will meet a stampeding elephant on the way to school. And even if things are not impossible, they’re often extremely improbable. We need to research the facts carefully. If it’s futile to worry - how much more futile is it to worry about something that will never happen or that is not based on facts.

I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened. (Mark Twain)

How much pain they have cost us, the evils which have never happened. (Thomas Jefferson)

Remember the two on the road to Emmaus after Jesus’ death. They were depressed, worried and confused. When Jesus met with them they stood still, their faces downcast (Luke 24:18) ... and explained to him:

[Jesus] was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. (Luke 24:19-21) ... and now it’s all gone wrong!

Jesus had to take them back to first principles, show them the facts ... especially the fact of his resurrection. It was then that:

their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:31:32)

Don't Worry 11 - Get your Thinking Straight (A)

I'm still thinking about why Christians have no need (or right!) to worry, and how they can avoid worrying...

11. Get your thinking straight: think about the things that matter

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

Don’t dwell on the problem. If you fill your mind and thoughts with the things that really matter then (a) you'll think less about your worries and (b) it will help you to get things in perspective. We’ve all been caught out by someone saying something like, "Don’t think about yellow tigers walking down Cricklewood Lane"—and that's immediately all we can think about!

It’s no good just telling yourself you mustn’t worry—that will only cause you to worry more. But if, on the other hand, you think about God’s word, about the blessings that God has brought your way, about the kindnesses that people have shown you, about the beauty and wonder of his creation, and other things that are noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable, you’ll find that a great help.