Don’t Worry Be Happy!!

Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 3:13-14

I borrowed this phrase from Bobby McFerrin in his song with the same title, he wrote “In every life we will have some trouble, when you worry you make it double, don’t worry be happy.” There are some professional and veteran worriers who no matter what you say or do to them; they will still have something to worry about. There are some that if there is nothing to worry about, they will still worry about the fact that there is nothing to worry about. This message is not for them. This is for those of us who are still amateurs, dabbling in the fine art of fretting; the bible recommends a cure and a hope for improvement.

Worry relates primarily to two of the three tenses. We worry about things that happened in the past tense and worry about what may happen in the future tense – This makes for a lot of “tenseness.”

E. Stanley Jones said “worry is the interest we pay on tomorrow’s troubles.” I have come to understand that worry is a form of atheism, for it betrays a lack of faith and trust in God.

T. T. Crabtree said “Stress and worry break us down.”  They are actually the unseen source of our headaches, backaches, heartaches and belly aches. They produce everything from obesity to obscenity, from constipation to diarrhea, and from impatience to impotence. They give us sleepless nights, high blood pressure, and low morale. They make our tempers short and our days long. They cause indigestion, irritation, and chest pain and muscle strain. Did you just say “wow!”? I know, that’s exactly what I said when I realized that worry will cause all of these and more. That’s why I agree with McFerrin, Don’t worry, be happy.

“You do not get stomach ulcers from what you eat.” said one doctor. “You get ulcers from what is eating you”

1. Don’t carry the burdens of the past.
   • The apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:13-14 that the runner has to erase from his mind the track he has covered and keep his attention on the finish line. Forget about past failures, past problems and even past glories.
   • You cannot effectively live today if you are still carrying yesterday’s burdens. So you are worried about some wrong you suffered in the past, resolve it with forgiveness and move on. You are worried over some sin you committed yesterday; you need repentance and the cleansing of the blood. That’s what the blood was shed for. Allow the past to recede into the past and live.
2. Don’t presume the problems of tomorrow.
   • Matthew urges us not to worry about the future. “Each day has enough trouble of its own” God has promised us enough grace to meet and successfully deal with each day’s troubles. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, they are new every morning. He will supply fresh grace for tomorrow. Don’t worry, be happy. If He takes care of the sparrows, He will take care of you.
3. Act now!
   • The person who is doing wrong today has some justification for worrying about tomorrow. Today’s wrongs will taint tomorrow and when you arrive in tomorrow, there will be a past to regret. Remember in your future, your past will be present. Yesterday is a cancelled check, it is not good for anything, and tomorrow is a promissory note with no collateral or signature. The present is precious and it is a gift. That is why it is called the “present” because that is what it really is, it is a present. If you need to renew your relationship with God, do it now, if you need to express love or forgiveness to a friend or family member, do it now, if you need to correct a wrong, do it now.

So in the immortal words of McFerrin, “Don’t worry, be happy” everything is going to be alright.

I will leave you all for now. If we do not meet again, I will see you at the dinner table in Papa’s house.

Rev. Kingsley Ayesu.