Monday, December 7, 2009

Worry


A very good friend of mine has had several things go wrong in her life. Many problems that she has taken on are really the problems of others but like most of us, she worries about things going on in the lives of others, such as her children.
She asked some of her friends to give her a list of bible verses that could help her deal with this worry.

The Bible is full of verses that deal with worry and how God can help us if we just lay it all at his feet.

Among the many verses I found, I suggested she read Psalms 31. Not just one verse but several in there help us when we are worried. Isiah 41:10 says..So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. How comforting it is to know that when I am worried and take my fears to him, he will hold me in his right hand and surround me with love. Just reading that now gives me a feeling of being loved by Him.

This is my favorite ....Matt.6:25-27 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

In 1905, two white songwriters, Civilla Martin and Charles Gabriel wrote a song that is now a staple in African American gospel singing. It was first made popular by the great Ethel Waters. I remember my Mom watching Billy Graham many years ago when I was a child and he would have Ethel sing, 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'.

It was written because of several references that Jesus made about God watching over the sparrow in Matthew. This is just one of the verses...Matt.6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

His Eye is on The Sparrow
Why should I feel discouraged / Why should the shadows come / Why should my heart feel lonely / And long for heaven and home / When Jesus is my portion / A constant friend is He / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches over me / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches me /

I sing because I'm happy / I sing because I'm free / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches me (He watches me) / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches / I know He watches / I know He watches

I know that if he is watching over that tiny bird and counting every feather on him, he surely is watching over me. And you!!!