Worry

Unfortunately, worry is one of the most common and greatest sins among converted people, and unfortunately it is usually hardly ever or very rarely illuminated.

Consequently, most people do not really know what worry is. They usually think that they don’t worry at all—despite the fact that it is exactly what they are doing, even very much! People say things like this: “Of course I don’t worry, but I have to think!”

On this point, we have a great and glorious help from one of several English Bible translations of Matthew 6:34, where we read, “Take no thought for the day tomorrow,” [KJV] instead of, “Be not anxious for the day tomorrow.” [Norw. tr.] Of course, that is just the intention! Worry is one hundred per cent unbelief, which in God’s eyes, according to His taste and judgment, is one of the worst and most abominable things in existence. Read Hebrews 11:6.

For example, the usual expressions for worry are: “Just think about that,” and “If only it would not happen!”

Worry is the exact opposite of blindly believing in God’s perfect guidance in everything possible, and the exact opposite of resting in God! A person who worries is restless instead of being at rest. “For we who have believed do enter that rest [in Him]”—that rest in our inner being of which Jesus invited us to partake. Matt. 11:28-29. In Hebrews 4:11 we are exhorted to be diligent to enter that rest.

Sin makes us restless and anxious, whereas a living, personally acquired faith in God’s perfect guidance and in all the words of life as a whole, results in uninterrupted rest and freedom from worry, irrespective of what the situation might be. Matthew 6:34 is actually a weak word, a word for beginners. If we have entered into perfect rest in God, we do not even worry in the morning, wondering what the afternoon of the same day will be like, or the next hour, or the next moment. No one can live more than one moment at a time! God guides every single moment, and He does it only for our best. Besides, our worrying does not help anything at all! On the contrary, it is only a bother to us as well as to others. It is all negative, causing much harm. It is absolute folly, even utter madness! Without realizing it, the person dismisses God and takes matters into his own hands! This is no small thing!

During the time of the old covenant—long before Jesus came into the world with perfect light—people knew that worrying was sin and madness!

“But now, do not therefore worry . . . .” Gen. 45:5 ff.

“And whoso watches for her [wisdom] shall quickly be without care.” Wis. of Sol. 6:15. In wisdom there is a spirit free from care. Wis. of Sol. 7:15. “Carefulness brings age before the time.” Sir. 30:24. It is therefore a means of shortening your life.

“Do not worry beforehand . . . what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that . . . .” Mark 13:11.

“Do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11-12.

“Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.” “But not a hair of your head shall be lost.” Luke 21:14-18.

Just imagine! In the same hour! Not one moment before!

Therefore: perfect rest! Perfect freedom from care! It is achievable for all those who believe, and unachievable for all the others!

“Be anxious for nothing!” That is perfectly all-encompassing! No exceptions! The cares of the world choke the Word. Matt. 13:22. Cares, or worry, can ruin everything. Luke 21:34.

Therefore, seek to be perfectly free from worry as quickly as possible!