Worry-a-tion: Part II (Why Worring Is Vain)

Worry-a-tion: Part II (Worrying is vain.)

Psalm 127:2 (KJV) It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Veritas (Photo credit: GlasgowAmateur)

Let’s take a look at the root meaning of the word “vain.” The Hebrew word translated as vain is שָׁוְא, transliterated as shāwʾ, and pronounced as “shawv” (Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary, Strong’s Number 7723). Shāwʾ means: vain, vanity, false, lying, falsely, lies.” The meaning relates to the sense of “desolating; evil (as destructive), literal (ruin) or moral (especially guile); figurative idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverb in vain) :- false (-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.” (Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary)

To see phrases and words such as “sense of desolating,” “evil (as destructive)”, “figurative idolatry,” “useless,” “false,” “lie,” and “lying” gives us more clarity and insight into just what is wrong with worrying and fretting. When believers worry, when we “rise up early, sit up late and eat the bread of sorrows,” we commit idolatry, indulge in desolating behavior, live a lie, and engage in useless activity. Hmmmmmm. Could this be you?

If you claim the name of Jesus, you must trust the claims of Jesus and trust in Him for all that pertain to your life and well being. Refuse to live a lie. Trust the One Who is “The Way, The Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). You will not be disappointed. It is written:

Philippians 4:6 (KJV)
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

The devotional reading below is titled “Defeating Worry.” It contains 7 biblical truths to help you kick the habit of “worry-ation.” Enjoy.

“1. If God gave us the great gift of life, surely He will give us the things necessary to support that life:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25)

2. Since there is no worry in the birds’ lives, why should there be in yours?

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

3. Worry is useless and changes nothing:

“Which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27)

4. If God gives such beauty to a short-lived flower, how much more will He care for a person?

“See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:29, 30)

5. Worry is characteristic of the unbeliever, and not of one who knows what God is like. Worry is essentially distrust of God:

“For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” (Matthew 6:32)

6. Worry can be defeated by concentrating first on the kingdom of God:

“This, then is how you should pray:… ‘Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'” (Matthew 6:9a, 10)

7. Worry can be defeated when we acquire the art of living one day at a time:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34) (Hill, 2007)

Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)

Verneda

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