Human nature dictates that we can’t always be a warrior, and warns that we shouldn’t always be a worrier. There’s a greater difference between a warrior and a worrier than just a couple of vowels.
A warrior is one who fights battles, but in this week’s blog, I am referring to prayer warriors. A prayer warrior is one who spends much of her time in spiritual warfare on behalf of others. A warrior is confident and perseveres in battle.
On the other hand, a worrier spends a great deal of her time thinking about occurrences that she has encountered or ones that might still happen. Usually, the worrier focuses on self, and how she will be affected which leads a parade of ‘what ifs?’ A worrier often times experiences anxiety and apprehension as she frets over a matter that has happened, is happening, or will happen – real or imagined.
A warrior and a worrier look at everyday stress and challenges from both ends of the spectrum. One looks at unpleasant times or even life-threatening situations as a challenge to overcome through prayer. The other looks at the particular circumstance and becomes overwhelmed and may even panic at the enormity of stress she faces.
Consider the familiar story of Mary and Martha. Martha invited Jesus to her house as the guest of honor for dinner. Martha flitted around the ‘kitchen.’ Let’s see. The bread is in the oven, the lentil soup is almost ready, the table is set. O, I still have so much to do, and there sits Mary at the feet of Jesus. She is so irritating! She fussed and fumed. Doesn’t she know Lazarus could entertain Jesus? She should be helping me! What if the bread burns? What if the lentils are crunchy and everyone gets a stomach ache?
Meanwhile, Mary listened intently to Jesus’ words of wisdom as she gathered ammunition for her quiet time of spiritual battle later that evening. She heard Martha rattling around in the kitchen. She is so annoying! Why doesn’t she just stop and spend time with our guests before the meal?
When Martha could stand it no longer, she approached Jesus. “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!”
Jesus looked at her tenderly. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.” O that Martha would come sit with Me and listen to what My Father has said to Me.
What is it about worry that causes such unpleasantness? We all know worry is faith going the opposite direction. Worriers expect and believe the worst with a lot of ‘what ifs’ going on.
Worry is a robber and has come to take your peace.
We are all unique individuals – whether you relate to Mary or to Martha, and you are valuable and have a purpose. By the way, I myself am a mild version of Martha, but wanting to be more of a listener like Mary – through prayer, of course.
Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to Him. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
My conclusion: Don’t worry. Be happy. Take it to the Lord in prayer.