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?

The Biblical Hebrew word for “idol” or “image” (“Ahtzav”), means to “carve, fabricate, fashion”.  What is striking, however, is the fact that it also means “to worry; pain or anger; to grieve, hurt, vex.”.  (See entries 6087 through 6094 in the Hebrew dictionary in Strong’s concordance.)

Could it be that much of what you and I worry about, and get emotionally distraught about, are actually idols/gods in our lives?  No, not works of ceramic or stone, but perhaps our goals, which become the central focus of our being. We need emotional and financial security.  However, if we are laboring for these apart from trusting the love and care Yahveh* has for us, we might be making them into idols.  The Scripture says, “We know and believe the love God has for us.” (1 John chapter 4 verse 16)  Do you believe He really loves you?  Interestingly, the Apostle John ends this same letter with the admonition:  “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”  (1 John chapter 5 verse 21)

At times, we fret over what other people think of us, and order our lives to please them.  Or we envy and covet what others are or have.  This is stressful, adds to worry and sometimes, anger.  We are actually accountable for these inner motivations and actions. This is a clear violation of the first Commandment, “I am Yahveh*, you shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20: 2-3)  Thou shalt not covet is the 10th commandment.

Are you rushing about trying to fulfill what you think is your destiny…worried and anxious about so many things?  Here’s a timeless word from Scripture:  Isaiah 28:16 (ASV translation) says that “…he that believeth (believes in the precious cornerstone which Yahveh has laid in Zion. i.e. the Messiah) shall not be in haste.” (literally, not be in a hurry!)

In contrast, the Scripture exhorts us to rest in Messiah and “find out what is pleasing to the LORD (not men).” (Ephesians chapter 5 verse 10)  Messiah Yeshua said, “I always do the things that are pleasing to Him (The Father).” (John chapter 8 verse 29)  This is the key to peace, in contrast to worry and vexation:  To do the things that are pleasing to Yahveh (The Heavenly Father).  We have no record in Scripture of Messiah being anxious and fretting.  He manifested peace at all times.

Do you know the verse that precedes the amazing command and promise in Philippians chapter 4 verses 6 & 7:  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua.“?  It’s the foundational truth that “The LORD is near. “ (verse 5)

The truth is “…He is not far from each one of us;…” (Acts chapter 17 verse 27), believer and non-believer, alike!

Today, draw near to Him…utter even the shortest prayer or cry. “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted…” (Psalm 34 Verse 18)  “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” (Psalm 145 verse 18)  And, He welcomes us with this wonderful invitation:  “You will seek Me and find (Me) when you search for Me with all your heart.  ‘I will be found by you,’ declares Yahveh…” (Jeremiah 29 verse 13, 14)  He actually lets us find Him!

Seek the ‘Wonderful Counselor’ (Isaiah 9 verse 6) today.  Let the ’spirit of wisdom’ (Isaiah 11 verse 2) search your heart to reveal any idols of worry and angst.  Ask Yahveh to remove these intruders. They intrude on our peace of mind and can actually impede constructive, creative thinking regarding the things about which we worry!  These intruders can adversely affect our health. As wise King Solomon said: ”A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”  (Proverbs 14 verse 30, NIV translation)  (Note: The Scriptures address psychosomatic illness three thousand years before modern medical science!)

Please write and let us know if any of your “worrying and hurrying” has been replaced by quietness and confidence as a result of acting upon something you’ve read in today’s post.

Shalom!

Please note that all Scripture quotes are taken from the New American Standard version, except where indicated.

*In seeking to place the Scripture quotes in their original Jewish context, we frequently use the Memorial Name (Yod, Hey, Vav, Hey; Yahveh) in place of the English ‘LORD’) and the Hebrew name ‘Yeshua’ in place of the Anglicized ‘Jesus’.