Are you a worrier or a warrior?

As I wrote in a previous post (On Worry, Pain and Anger) the word ‘worry’ comes from the biblical Hebrew word, ‘atzav’, which means “to carve an idol”.

Implied here is the idea that what we worry about may reveal an idol in our hearts. Don’t think ceramic statue. Think anything, or anyone, that you give more importance to than the One who made you.

Worry is also a robber, a dissipation, a temptation.

We are exhorted to flee temptation (yes, the context of that verse contemplates temptation to sexual immorality…but the principle is there!)

It’s time for a paradigm shift: To stop worrying and to start war-rying. That’s what we’re called to Biblically. That’s what gets practical results.

We are exhorted to fight the good fight of faith. Notice it’s a GOOD fight. (1 Timothy 1:18; 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7) Please note that these exhortations were given to Timothy, a young man and spiritual leader who struggled with fear.

It is a struggle/fight to walk by faith because so many past hurts, depressing thoughts, and current events cause us to walk by sight, and thus worry!

But, choosing to not engage in the good fight of faith will not protect you…and will block you from helping someone else find their eternal destiny!

Look at the language used here:

We are exhorted to gird up the loins of our minds. (1 Peter 1:13)
We are told to put on the helmet of salvation, guarding our minds. (Ephesians 6:17)

Worrying is passive. When ruminating we are not taking action.
War-rying is active. When we are war-rying, we are not worrying.

They are mutually exclusive! When you have one, you can’t have the other.

We are also called to war on behalf of others. Which war?

Scripture declares there’s a cosmic war…good vs. evil; The Holy One vs. the deceiver (satan).

The battleground? This world!

The stakes? The souls of men.

Every believer, that is, the ones already reconciled to the Master of the Universe through Messiah Yeshua’s (Jesus) atonement, are called to do battle…to do rescue work. We are called to fight in prayer for the souls of friends, family, and strangers. (Prov. 24:11-12)

We are also called to fight in prayer that righteousness might prevail in a given situation.

Replace the “toxic tune of worry” with the delightful song of Scripture. This is how to soothe your mind. Even as it was written three thousand years ago: “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul (mind, will and emotions).” (Psalm 19:7a)

That’s my ‘replacement theology’!

The believer is promised that the Lord fights for those that are in covenant relationship with Him, through the blood atonement of Yeshua. (Josh. 23:3 an example in the Hebrew Scriptures; Romans 16:20; 2 Timothy 4:17; Rev. 12:11a)

How is this for a promise? “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom.” (2 Timothy 4:18)

By the way, if you are not reconciled to the Heavenly Father, you are fighting on your own.

But, you can pick up your protective armor today, free of charge! That’s because Someone purchased it for you. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God in prayer, telling Him you need Him. Tell Him you’ve been doing ‘life’ on your own. Repent. Agree with Him that you have sinned against Him and others (be specific). Acknowledge Yeshua as the only means through which God Himself planned to reconcile you to Him (Isaiah 53).

He will then clothe you with robes of righteousness and equip you with the “full armor of God” (loins girded with truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the Gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit/Word of God, the gift of prayer). (Eph. 6:13-18)

In addition, He has arranged for angelic protection, as it says in Hebrews 1:14:

“Are they not all ministering spirits (angels), sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14)

Listen, life is a battle, whether you’re a believer or not — like it or not. That’s a given. How are you choosing to deal with it, by worrying or war-rying?