Normal is boring

I was having a discussion the other day with someone and he told me that he was worried about a relative who is experiencing some severe health problems. I told him I never worry about anything. In an exasperated tone he turned to me and said,, “You aren’t normal”. To which I laughingly replied, “That isn’t exactly a Fox News Flash’, I started picking up on that when I was about five years old”.

At first he didn’t believe me, but I insisted that I NEVER worry about ANYTHING. Finally my wife chimed in and assured him that indeed I was telling the truth. That is when he just shook his head and told me I wasn’t normal.

So why don’t I worry? Is it because I am insane or am I just some deviate that has strayed far from the mores and norms of society? Some who know me, or who have read my autobiography are smiling right now, because they are opting to choose the sanity or deviate issue; however I maintain that the reason I never worry is because of my tremendous faith in God.

Basically I believe the Bible when it states in Romans 8:28 “All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.” And in Romans 11:29 where it states, “for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable”.

This issue seems pretty simple to me, I love the Lord with all of my heart and know that I’ve been called according to His purpose. God freely has given me the gift of His incomprehensible love and it is irrevocable. So why would I possibly want to worry about anything when I have been assured ahead of time by the unerring word of God that things will turn out good and that fact cannot ever be changed?

Duhh.

Things that stimulate worry, the trials and tribulations of this transitory world, teach us the truth about our frail, and fallen conditions; they lead us to look to God for support, and to heaven for a final home; and they should produce a humble spirit. a subdued temper, a patient and kinder disposition and importantly bring us to the point of total surrender. Ultimately we should put our complete trust in the Lord and turn everything over to Him. After years of waging war and fighting my battles alone I finally got down on my knees and did exactly that and quit worrying. It was like a huge burden had been lifted from my being.

Those in the Bible that have experienced tremendous affliction, trials and tribulations like Job were able to say at the end of the day that it was good for them to be afflicted. I believe that to those who love God, this is a characteristic of true faithfulness. Blessing or no blessing this is not to say that I “enjoy” being afflicted at the time I’m experiencing it. Who enjoys pain? It is similar to hitting your finger with a hammer. You know it will eventually quit hurting, but when you hit it, it HURTS! I might agonize, scream, cry, and yowl, but the next time I swing that hammer, I will be more careful

And that my friends is the point.

To most “normal” people afflictions are not viewed as a blessing designed to help perfect them; rather as simply their being singled out for chastisement. The norm is to worry, instead of finding peace; loudly complain, instead of quietly accepting it for what it is, rebel, instead of submit; and to spew anger, become impatient, and sometimes even hate, instead of remaining calm, be patient, and love our Maker.

Ahhh but we know that the Bible teaches that the Christian is made a better man or woman by receiving afflictions as they should be received, and by desiring that they should accomplish the purpose for which they are sent; the sinner is made more hardened by resisting them, and refusing to submit to their obvious intention and design.

In the end I believe it boils down to not having enough faith when we worry. Some will bristle up like a big bad alpha dog when I say that and say that it is normal to worry, and I am some nutcase. Before you send for the straight jacket and sign the commitment papers I remind you I’m just the messenger. According to my Bible study I can’t find anyone who stated that it is a sin to worry and that worry is a statement of our lack of faith in our God more than Jesus Christ Himself.

We need to worry less and let Jesus take care of those things that waste precious time and accomplish nothing.

Luke 12:22
“Then Jesus said to his disciples: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 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?'”