Worry is an everyday word for most of us and can easily become a way of life. If we do not properly manage it, it can consume our minds. The new book from LJ Harry provides a helpful challenge for reflecting on worry in the life of a Christian. . . .
Blessed Are
LJ Harry
Living for Jesus isn’t all about money; it’s about mission. We live to glorify God and make disciples. I hope you make all the money you need at your job, but most of all, I hope you make an eternal difference at your job because you see your job as your mission field. I hope our Spirit-filled, Spirit-led children and students get their diplomas or degrees. But more than that, I hope they see a mission field from the first day they walk in until the day they walk across the stage. They are in a place where they will be able to minister to more people in one place than at any other time in their lives. And all they need to do is be light in darkness. One way to war against worry is to realize we’re living for more than what we have down here. We’re laying up treasures for when we get up there. Living with Heaven in mind takes faith. Worry and faith know each other quite well.
Worry and faith are both chefs in the same kitchen. Worry and faith both feed our souls, but they feed our souls on different dishes. Worry whips us up a steady diet of I don’t knows. I don’t know what the future holds. Just watch or listen to one newscast. I don’t know what will happen in the world or which world power will get dangerously close to pressing the red button. I don’t know if the stock market will rise, fall, crash, or do all three before lunch . . .
I don’t know what church. I don’t know what ministry. I don’t know what college. I don’t know what career. I don’t know what man or woman is right for you. I don’t know. Worry keeps cooking up dishes in the kitchen to feed us a steady diet of I don’t knows that keep us fretful and fearful. Every time we feel anxious about the future, worry rings the bell and serves up another side of I don’t know. If we keep feeding our soul on what we don’t know, we’ll fight the war with worry for the rest of our lives. Thankfully, there’s another chef in the kitchen. Faith is happy to feed our souls, but faith cooks from a different cookbook. Faith serves us a steady diet of I know based on the recipes in God’s inspired Word.
I know God will be on the throne no matter who is in the White House or in Congress or Parliament. (See Isaiah 6:1–3.) I know God is the Healer, and He is able to heal us of all our diseases. (See Psalm 103:3.) I know the angels of the Lord encamp about those who fear the Lord (Psalm 34:7). I know my Redeemer lives, and I will see Him one day (Job 19:25). I know my God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). I know God knows where I am, and He knows the way I take. (See Job 23:10.) I know God is, and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Granted, I’ve never seen God with my eyes, heard Him audibly with my ears, or shaken His Milky-Way-sized hand. But I know He is, and I know He cares, all thanks to every meal faith has served up to feed my hungry soul. He will feed our hungry souls.
This excerpt of Blessed Are came from the chapter, “Don’t Worry.” It gives us further insight into the life God truly wants us to live—an abundant life. This book opens our minds to another way of living that does not always come naturally. It takes work to be meek, merciful, and a peacemaker. As LJ Harry presents the beatitudes in Matthew chapter five, he expounds on real-life examples illustrating how this may look in our own lives. These practical examples help us connect and feel encouraged to live out what God has expressed in His Word.
This chapter helps us realize continuous worrying should not be an accepted norm for a Christian’s life. Rather, we should encourage our brothers and sisters to live in faith and confidence that God holds our tomorrows.
Worrying is a choice and that means there is another option—faith. Click To TweetIf we are consciously choosing to have faith, we will not have time to choose worry. Not only can this benefit our physical health, but it also can grow us in our walk with God. We can take so many more out-of-the-box steps for God when we are walking in daily faith and not worry. This biblical principle, shared in this chapter, encourages me that “not worrying” is not irresponsibility or not caring, but it is caring enough to place it in the hands of the One who knows what is best for me.
If you enjoyed this small glimpse into LJ Harry’s book, there are so many more enriching chapters to help you live an abundant life. You can follow this link to purchase Blessed Are: A Practical Look at the Beatitudes