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The Focus
by Dennis Wheeler
Worry plagues our culture like the common cold: it's easy to catch and hard to shake. And sooner or later, everybody has it! We worry about money; we worry about our kids; we worry over our jobs; we worry about the future. The list is endless. In fact, sometimes we even worry about not worrying! At least when we worry, if feels as if we're doing something!
But when we worry, of course, we are actually accomplishing nothing. What worry gains us is increased anxiety...the more we worry, the more we think of to worry about. We also gain decreased joy, diminished peace, and lack of closeness to God.
You see - when we are busy worrying - we are NOT busy trusting. Worry doesn't bring God near - - it pushes Him away. But if instead we 'present our requests to God,' we gain something of incredible value: "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
Hannah Whitall Smith puts it beautifully..."All through the Old Testament the Lord's one universal answer to all the fears and anxieties of the children of Israel was the simple words, "I will be with you.." He did not need to say anything more. His presence was to them a perfect guarantee that all their needs would be supplied; and the moment they were assured of it, they were no longer afraid to face the fiercest foe."
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done."
- Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
He serves as the Senior Pastor with southwest Virginia church... a loving church family in Abingdon.
He and his wife Sharon have been married for over 27 years and are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, and two precious grandchildren, the second arrived arrived on the scene in September 2004!!
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