Winning Over Worry: You and God, You and Others, You and Your Kids (Paperback)

Chapter One

For You Alone

Check each situation below that applies to you.

I tend to worry when ...

I'm awake in the dark hours of the night.

my daughter goes out on her first date.

my child is sick.

I remember some of the bad things that happened to me as a child.

my husband is late coming home from work.

no one answers the phone when I know my kids are home.

I read the newspaper.

I send my child off to school.

I talk to my friends.

I answer the phone and no one is there.

I watch TV.

I think about the future.

I plan a trip.

I plan to stay home.

I'm driving in the car.

I'm out for a walk.

I'm riding in an airplane.

I _____________.

How many worry situations did you check? If you checked more than five or six, you just may have a problem with worry.

When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened. Winston Churchill

For You and God's Word

Turn for your time in God's Word to Luke 12:25-26. You'll spend more time in this passage in "For You and Others," but for now just look at these two short verses:

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

The New International Version includes a footnote to the word "life," which says, "Or single cubit to his height." In others words, can anyone, by worrying, grow taller? Silly question, isn't it?

What can you accomplish by worrying about your height?

What can you accomplish by worrying about the length of your life? About anyone's life?

What can you accomplish by worrying about your health? About a loved one's health?

What can you accomplish by worrying about your child's safety?

What can you accomplish by worrying about your child's commitment to God?

What can you accomplish by worrying about food or clothes or finances?

By now the answer to all of these questions is probably plain. You accomplish nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. Zilch.

So why bother?

Of course that's easier said than done. More so for some than others. Some people are natural worriers. Others struggle only at certain times or in particular circumstances. No matter whether you're a full-time member of the nail-biting club or an occasional attendee, worry brings you only one place: a dead end.

Worry is like a rocking chair: it will give you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere. Unknown

Now name three things you're likely to find at that dead end of worry:

What did you come up with? Did you list things like a churning stomach? How about ulcers? Or a lack of faith in God? Or a lack of trust in other people, even those you know to be trustworthy? Did you perhaps think of what your worry does to your family? Children who are fearful? Or a husband who's exasperated?

Okay, so maybe worry does accomplish something. But it's all negative. It adds up to another reason to look at worry as nothing but a huge, solid, unforgiving brick wall. Keep running toward it, and you're bound to get bruised.

For You and Others

Read together Luke 12:22-34. If someone in your group is good at dramatic reading, have her read it aloud, perhaps speaking it as Jesus may have spoken it to his disciples.

So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. 23 For life consists of far more than food and clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not! 26 And if worry can't do little things like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things? 27 Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 28 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! 29 And don't worry about food-what to eat and drink. Don't worry whether God will provide it for you. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. 32 So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no holes in them. Your treasure will be safe-no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be. Luke 12:22-34 NLT

1. What does Jesus tell you not to worry about (verse 22)?

2. Share with each other your biggest worries and fears.

3. Do you see Jesus' words in verse 22 as an invitation or a command? Explain.

4. What do you think Jesus means when he says that "life consists of far more than food and clothing" (verse 23)? What are these things?

5. Read verses 24 and 29? Shouldn't people plan and work to get food? Explain your answer.

(Continues...)