WHAT A THOUGHT
Today's reading:  Job 39-40

"Are you as strong as God, and can you thunder with a voice like his?"  Job 40:9 NLT

I've just perused Noah Webster's dictionary.  The word on my mind?  Worry.

Some of the synonyms associated with worry were choke, strangle, torment, fret and harrass.

How appropriate.

I have some friends who are currently being overwhelmed with feelings of worry.

I'm never sure how to help them.  Do my words sound flippish as I tell them just to 'give their problems to God'?  Do I soun harsh when I look them in the eye and suggest that their worrying isn't doing anyone anything but harm--including themselves?  Do I portray insensitivity when I don't begin wringing my hands with them in despair and woe?

I'm never sure what to do.  Mostly because I've not found what needs doing when the worry seeds sprout in my own heart.  The thoughts that vine around and begin to choke out what I know to be true.  The simple statements that crowd out what my Lord has said and promises.  The fears that lord over me when I take my eyes off my Lord

God spoke to Job about all Job's happenings and simply asked Him if He were as tough as the Creator of the universe.

He reminded Job of his place, his ability, his purpose in the world.  And in the same question, reminded Job of just Who He is.

Maybe that's what will cease worry.  Quite possibly that's just what we need to focus on--not what we're feeling, but Who He is.

You see, I do not see anywhere in His Word where worry is a character flaw He wants any of His children labeled with.