Take a few minutes before we go any further to write down a list of things that you worry about. Go ahead, do it right now.

Several years ago a goofy little song came out called "don't worry be happy" I thought it was a dumb song but now I look back on the song and realize it is a good motto for the Christian. It's a motto we all too often forget.

For a few months now, I have worried about not getting to preach in a while. Last Sunday I was invited to speak tonight. Well I immediately began to worry about if I could work out my schedule, if I could get time to study, if I could prepare adequately, and a myriad of other things. I talked it over with Dana and prayed about it but still worried. Monday morning as I prayed about it Paul's words to another young preacher Timothy came to mind, "Preach the word. Be instant in season and out of season." I knew then that I needed to preach anytime I could so I quit worrying about whether to or not. But I began to fret about what I'd preach on. I looked through some of the ideas I had written down and narrowed it down to about 10 and then carefully looked them allover and narrowed the field further. I decided upon one topic and studied and studied an idea that was put on my heart. All week I studied Judges 13-16 and planned to speak on Samson and the price of sin. As I studied I worried about whether it was the right topic or not. I worried over getting too deep into word studies and not keeping it relevant and all the things a good speaker should worry about. Wednesday rolled around I shared some thoughts with the youth from my studies and got a little practice in. Later that night I searched high and low for my notes to no avail. Thursday I left home early to go by the church and get them but they weren't there. I called my wife to check one more place. They were in my bible all along. If I had been in God's word I wouldn't have needed to worry. So now I want to stand up here and preach as much to myself as to you about fear, worry, and happiness.

Fear

Have no fear. "No fear" was a popular saying. I think my little brother may still have one of those stickers on his window. Then there was the redneck one "ain't skeered" That should be us we should have no fear and be able to say we ain't skeered.

Read Isaiah 43:1-3a

Whatever your fears, trust Him and He will guide you through it. Notice the word through - He does not promise to carry us over them or deliver us out of the difficult times. What he does promise is two things. He promises: His presence (I will be with thee) and His protection (they shall not over flow thee – they wont burn thee) He is able to because of His power – he is the Lord thy God, the holy One, the Saviour. No matter the situation you may face, he came to earth and faced similaar circumstances. He is not a God who sits on high but one that is down in the trenches of life with us. He has been there, done that, got the t-shirt and is still here to guide us.

Did you know "fear not" is in the bible in various forms at least 365 times? That should be one reminder a day. We should not fear the past because we can't change it only thing we can do is learn from it. And we should not fear tomorrow because God is already there ahead of us. There is nothing, nothing at all, to be afraid of – nothing to fear and nothing to worry over! Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

Mark 4:40 records, "And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" Do you get that? Jesus says here that faith and fear are opposites. Jesus says fear means no faith so faith means no fear also. When fear comes knocking at the door of your life let faith answer and suddenly no one will be there.

Worry

Worry is an emotional reaction to something that we fear. It is fear taken to an extreme.

Read Matthew 6:25-34

We are to be anxious for nothing. Instead of worrying about food and clothing and things of this world he gives us two priorities: his kingdom and his righteousness. We further his kingdom by witnessing. And righteosness is right living. Live right and be a witness for God and he will take care of things for you.

Jesus tells us not to worry about the bills or anything else but to seek him. We need to slow down, lay aside fear and worry and just follow God and trust him. Now that is easier said that done but I have learned that in trusting him, he will take care of me. Things were shaky where I used to work and spiritually it wasn't a good place for me. I was looking for another job but was unsure of leaving the company, it was my comfort zone. Go God knew that so I was laid off. It hit me hard and I cried and cried. All the way home I cried and as I did I just kept praying over and over again, "Lord, It's in your hands. I trust you to do what is best." I was still upset and still unemplyed but i trusted Him with the matter completely. I was laid off on Friday went in for a second interview with a company on Monday, offered the job on Tuesday and started working on Wednesday. God worked it out.

Jesus says not to worry about food and drink and earthly things. Even the Gentiles, or as it says in Luke even the pagans, worry about this. Look at your list of things you worry. If you put it up next to that of a non-Christian you know would you discover that you worry about the same things. The lists ought to be drastically different. We should have the peace that passes all understanding. Which of these lists looks most like yours?

World's worries Christian's worries Money, Bills - Finances Heavenly treasures Physical fitness Spiritual fitness Appearances Testimony Making it to the top Being a servant

We don't even have to worry about terrorist threats… or even war. Dana tickled me a few weeks when the Homeland Security issued its advisory including safe guarding against gas attack with plastic and duct tape. She was genbuinely worried about taping up windows – when our house is far from air tight. People have since died – duct taping their rooms air tight. They were asphyxiated. They were literally killed by worry. If we die as Christians we know we'll be with God so we don't need to be afraid or be worried. Paul said to live is Christ to die is gain. God takes care of the birds he'll take care of us.

Worry is wasting today's time to clutter up tomorrow's opportunities with yesterday's troubles. - Source Unknown.

We spend our lives dwelling on what happened and what might happen. How different we would be if we left the "what happened's" in the past and waited on the "what if's" until they become "what is’s". We are challenged repeatedly in scripture to be faithful stewards of what he has given us so don't eat up precious time here on earth in worry. Instead be happy.

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