By Joani Schultz
“No worries.”
I love it when someone says that to me.
Like when I spill my iced tea at a restaurant. A friendly server wipes up the puddle and says, “No worries.”
Like when I accidentally bump into someone next to me. A kind stranger smiles, “No worries.”
Ahh… Hearing “No worries” lifts my spirits and makes me feel good.
However…
Unintentional spills and bumps really aren’t the big deals to me. Like you, I fixate on the BIG WORRIES. Since one study says we spend over five years of our lives worrying—that’s over 14 hours every week—worries haunt us. (Uh, now I’m worried about how much time we worry!) Plus, anxiety disorders rank among the most common mental health conditions we face.
Yet, I hate my BIG WORRIES.
What do I do when I’m buried with the pressing weight of too much to do?
Or the deep sadness for loved ones whose wife, mother, and sister just died of cancer.
Or the ever-looming questions of health, finances, family hardships—and the political craziness strangling our country.
I count on Jesus to whisper, “No worries.”
WHAT JESUS REMINDS ME ABOUT BIG WORRIES
So how does a Jesus-perspective help me (and I hope helps you)? Here’s what melts our worries:
1. Pause to listen to Jesus.
Remember this story in Luke 10—the one where Jesus drops in for a meal with his friends Mary and Martha? I so relate to frazzled Martha. Like her, I love to DO stuff—especially stuff that serves the Lord and his people.
But Marthas (me, you) get distracted by everything we have to do and worry about. And we get a bit indignant when others don’t notice all we’ve got going.
“But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her’ ” (Luke 10:41-42).
When I stop worrying long enough to hear Jesus, I’m comforted. “My dear Joani, you are worried and upset over all these details…” Incredible. Suddenly a sense of peace in the Only One Thing worth being concerned about fills me.
Try this:
Insert your name: “(_________), you are worried and upset over all these details. There is only one thing worth being concerned about.”
Ahh…feel better?
2. Paying Ridiculous attention to Jesus.
Jesus. He’s the One Thing to be concerned about. Not all those BIG WORRIES that haunt us. A mysterious miracle happens when we focus on Jesus.
He reminds Martha (me, you), “Be concerned about the One Thing. Mary’s got it right. Pay attention to Me. Let me let you rest. I’ve got the big picture, the eternal picture. I see it all. And believe me. I’ve got you covered. No worries.”
For that reminder, I recommend the podcast Paying Ridiculous Attention to Jesus. Get a dose of Jesus and the freedom he brings when you listen to The Jesus-Centered Life author Rick Lawrence as he brings authenticity and life to the conversation.
3. Bask in a Jesus-perspective.
Jesus views our lives so differently. While we see worries, money, time, and suffering through a finite lens, Jesus pictures our lives through infinity.
“This is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!”
“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?”
“…your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.”
(Read more in Matthew 6:25–34. Everywhere, God’s Word promises the bigger picture.)
4. Give your worries to God.
As a gift to you, I want to share a Lifetree Cafe story on film that touched my heart. It reminded me to give everything to Jesus. Take 8 minutes for yourself. Let God’s Spirit reach into your soul as you watch this video. Let me know how this affects you. Email me at jschultz@group.com. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
“No worries.”
—Jesus