A Divided Mind

 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life...  

(beginning of Matthew 6:25, Jesus teaching about worry)

Worry divides the mind. A short statement, but one of many that I underlined years ago in Max Lucado's book, Traveling Light. Max further explains this by defining the biblical word for worry. It is a combination of two Greek words, merizo (to divide), and nous (the mind). So when we spend time worrying about anything, we are dividing our minds, or splitting them into parts. 

Think about a time when you were fretting about something. Did it feel like your head was going to explode? Did you feel like "tearing your hair out?" A lot of people describe anxiety this way. They feel like they are breaking into pieces, and can't pull it together. I have been there many times, so I understand a feeling of being split apart by worry and fear. It's not a good feeling. It's not a productive way to function. We weren't meant to live this way, and we can overcome this no matter what we are facing and no matter how the world looks right now. Worry may divide the mind, but God holds us together. Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.

How do we become worrywarts? Why are some people more prone to being a worrier while others seem to be more content? I believe it's about choices in many circumstances. What side do you want to find or see yourself on? One thing my kids may remember is when they were facing a decision to either do what they were told or do what they wanted to do, we would say, "Well, you can either take the hard way or the easy way." In our eyes, the easy way was to do as they were instructed, and not have to face the consequences–whether they were self-induced or parent-produced. It's no different when we follow the Lord's instructions. "Do not worry about your life." He's telling us–I've got this. You don't know better than I do. I am in control, and you are not, and it's for your own good.  Ephesians 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.  It's already been decided, His will is what we can rest in. We don't need to worry. God, who made the universe and us, already has it all figured out. Have you ever prayed for God's will to be done? It's the ultimate control freak's nightmare prayer. Yes, we must let things rest in God's hands, no matter what it is. I didn't say it was easy, did I? But the more we do it, the more God allows it to become part of who we are because we will be content as we trust Him more and more with the outcome. 

Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:27 

These are the Words of Jesus Himself. He's asking us a pointed question He already knows the answer to, just like the question, "do you want the hard way or the easy way?" No, worrying adds some things, but what it adds are things we don't want–headaches, stomach issues, inflammation of our bodies, and a general displeasure with life. Jesus is right, so why don't we seem to believe Him? What can we do to add hours to our lives instead of worrying them away and getting(worried)sick about it too? What habits do we engage in that cause more worry?

This is just my honest opinion, but I think at least 90% of what we might see on social media posts and news stories either perpetuate worry or create anxiety in those who are prone to it. I left social media almost 3 years ago, and from what I hear, it has only gotten worse.  I think one thing that frustrated me the most about my time on social media were the people sharing misinformation without checking any facts first. It was always some souped-up story, and it was shared widely with everyone they knew. What was the point? It seemed to incite a lot of negativity in the comments, and sometimes a lot of re-sharing of the sinister post. This still goes on today with even more prominent characters in the public eye. It's irresponsible, it's so negative, and it's dangerous, but people continue to read it, share it, and repeat it. Why? Why is it that bad news and gossip is so shareable, but the Word of God and grace is somehow ignored or buried in there, or worse, only shared by a few (sometimes those same few)on a Sunday? There are so many positive things we could be doing, and yet somehow justify negative social media, constant news, and yucky conversations. 

 Psychology would tell us that we humans are hardwired for negativity because we "feel the sting of rebuke more powerfully than we feel the joy of praise." This is why a bad memory or a bad impression sticks with people longer than a good one. We are so self-centered that even if we are having a good day, we will focus on the one bad thing a coworker said and lament about it all day long. This is why we hold onto grudges and unforgiveness for so long too. Ugh! Why are we like this? Come on, people. We can do better than this. We were made for more than this! You should hear my Bible pages just a swishin' today, looking for the verses I need to squash this psychobabble! Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. There it is! 

Okay, so morally, spiritually, and intellectually, we were created in the image of the Creator of the universe. Ahem, excuse me, but that's amazing. I don't know about you, but I can't get over it. THIS is how we are actually described in the Bible: God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10), A branch of the true vine (John 15:5), A child of God (John 1:12) A Saint (1 Cor. 1:2), heirs (Rom. 8:17), a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19), the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21), chosen, holy and blameless (Eph. 1:4), an ambassador for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20), Redeemed and forgiven (Eph. 1:7), and more that I didn't even list. Hmm...I did not see "Worrywart" on that list. Let's remember who we are! Again, a child of the One True King, in case it slipped your mind from last week. 

It kind of embarrasses me to think of all the stuff I say when I look at that list. I clearly need to remember who I am. This doesn't mean we are perfect people and I am far from it. But this means God sees us as His light, and if I want to reflect that light, I need to be more of what He sees than what the world sees or what I see in it. I can't be unforgiving with one part of me while being loving with the other. Knowing the truth is part of solving this issue, at least with me. James 3:9-12 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

In the case of these rampant social media posts, we need to be responding with a godly answer even if we're not communicating with people who know the Lord. We can probably figure out why we don't see a lot of  this on negative posts. Grace is sometimes seen as "flip-flopping," weakness, fence-sitting, or my personal favorite, "head-in-the-sand." So if you're not raging on an issue one way or the other, people automatically assume you don't have a brain or a spine. Peace comes at a price, at least with the world, but peace is priceless when you understand that it has nothing to do with what you gain on this earth. Whatever side you fall on, whether it's a wordy worrier of the world, a careful minded person, a fire and brimstone Bible banger, or whatever you may be, the best thing to do is to meet people where they are, and not where you'd like them to be. At the end of the day, it won't matter what people think. They're going to think it anyway. But it does matter what God thinks, so mind what and how you say things, what you choose to share, and how you approach others. 

We are reminded that it is really easy to sin when we get in our flesh and our self-righteousness. We think, "I just know I'm right about this issue, so I'm going to blast this particular person, issue, or even on the faith side, I'm going to preach this or that, forgetting that God doesn't need a sidekick." (my dear friend and mentor taught me this) But the problem is, no matter what we're going to say, if we don't go to God about it first, we might make a mess of things.  2 Timothy 16-17 Avoid Godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Our careless talk is described like a disgusting disease that spreads and takes people with it. Even if we think we are right about something, sometimes we need to be careful with HOW we say what even God says in His Word. We can't use His Word as a weapon against people just to get our own point across. Sometimes when we are worried about something, we get a little wordy. Oh, yes, I've done all of this! I may do it again maybe today or tomorrow if I'm not mindful. Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. 

If we're going to trust anyone to get us through these world messes, let us trust God. There is too much faith and admiration placed on individuals to get us through hard times without the realization that all of these individuals are just flawed human beings. They do not deserve to be put on pedestals. Not politicians who make vows to fix everything just to get votes. Not newscasters who run to every battlefield because they are paid to do so, and not every leader, just because they are "popular" for some unknown reason. This materialistic world is built for success and advancement, not so much for humility and kindness, sadly. If the kind and humble were in charge, we'd never hear about how they changed the world. We would just start to see it.  How popular was Jesus when he walked the earth? Jesus tells us in John 3:19-21 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." Jesus said it Himself. Some people just don't want truth or light, and will choose to stay in the dark with their sin. We need to stop giving more power to the powerful, and give that admiration and faith to the One who actually changes things in this world. Psalm 100:1-3 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is hw who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. And as my friend Norm reminds me all the time, let's pray for our world leaders, that God would guide their hearts to righteousness. 

So what are we? Lightness or darkness? A worried, divided mind will eventually take people with it. Romans 16:17-18 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.  We have to be filled up with the Word of God so that our minds automatically know what God says about it. If you know what God says, you question what the world says. If you know what God does, you will question what the world says to do. We have to have our minds made up ahead of time so that we are prepared in times of stress and anxiety. I do believe worrying can lead to other deceptive things, and can also lead others astray in the process. When we trust that God is in control, we don't have to try to control everything and everyone around us. Psalm 22:28 for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. 

So if we're not worrying about every disaster we see or every situation we hear about, what are we doing instead? If we want to help instead of worry, we can find many ways by helping others, whether by volunteerism, donations, or other needed services. But another thing we can do is to pray. While there are many people in the world who may scoff at the notion of "thoughts and prayers," there are others who know and believe that genuine prayer is powerful. Prayer is direct communication with God. Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. When we go to God humbly in prayer, we are believing in faith that He hears us and will answer us. He will remove our worries, prepare us for battle, and help us to overcome barriers in order to help others. It's no small thing to pray or for someone to pray for us. Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Jesus doesn't promise to remove the burden, but He does promise to help us carry it. I do believe this prayer extends to how we find the state of our world. We are not expected to carry the burdens of the world any more than we carry our own personal ones. God is with us wherever we go. 

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 

Psalm 46:1-10