Who, Me Worry?

Do you ever spend time worrying about some future event? Whatever the experience is, you engage in a big time worrying session playing, “what if.”

Have you ever thought about it, worry is simply negative thought, nothing more. Worry is the only sin we brag about. “I worried so much I couldn’t sleep,” or “I worried so much I couldn’t eat.”

Our beloved Lord has said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” We muse, will it really be? Think about it, hasn’t it always been?

In the Medieval Era one of the Reformers was condemned to be burned alive at the stake. The night before his execution screams were heard coming from his cell. He was trying to see if he could stand the pain leading to his death. To do this he was sticking his finger in the flame of a candle. Each time he put his finger in the flame, he withdrew it in pain. The next day as he stood tied to the stake with the flames rising around him he was heard singing a hymn. 

God’s grace was sufficient at the stake, though it wasn’t the night before. What made the difference? At the stake he needed God’s grace and had it, the night before he didn’t need it and didn’t have it, but was imposing on God’s grace.

The promise is “My grace is sufficient for you.” That is not future or past tense, it is perpetual present tense. It is not sufficient before needed, but every time when needed. Let that dispel your worry, knowing when needed His grace is sufficient. Now frame your thoughts in that light and confidently think positively.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  II Corinthians 12:9

When Paul initially received that promise, he had been appealing to God to take away his thorn in the flesh. By God’s grace he learned:

Affliction is most often a time of great spiritual growth.

Apathy is a spiritual virus that overtakes us and consumes us.

Therefore, may we say with Paul, “I gladly glory in my affliction.” It is possible to transition from griping to glorying only if II Corinthians 12:9 is applied. Remember who said, “My grace is sufficient.” If you need a reminder, it was the God of all grace who loves you, who desires, and designs good for you.