But those who have doubts are convicted if they go ahead and eat, because they aren’t acting on the basis of faith. Everything that isn’t based on faith is sin. Romans 14:23 (CEB)
Ouch! This one hurts! “Most of the time, worry is based on one sin in particular: selfishness. Usually when we worry, we’re concerned about how our selfish desires are not being fulfilled. The more selfish desires you have, the more you have to worry about, and the more complicated your life becomes.” (Joyce Meyer) Somehow I am having a hard time understanding why my worrying about my roof right now might be an act of selfishness! Doesn’t a roof over my head constitute a need rather than a want?
Ahhh. But here is the point. In Romans 14:23 it tells us that “everything that isn’t based on faith is sin”. If I am worrying than I must not have faith. Faith that God will provide a roof for my house. God knows I need a roof. He has a plan. Sometimes it takes a while for a plan to play out, but I shouldn’t lose my faith in God while I am waiting for the plan to all come together.
Anything that we spend more time thinking about than God is idol worship. Sounds kind of ridiculous to say that I am worshiping my roof, but in my worry I am making my roof more important than God in my life. God doesn’t want my attention turned away from him because to look away from him causes anxiety. God wants me to look to him so that I can live with out anxiety and to have peace. Peace, that concept where we have everything we need to be whole.
Lord, I can see that I am guilty of turning my eyes away from you. The results have not been pretty. It has caused me to be anxious and to worry. Help me today to keep my eyes on you so that I may grow in faith and have your peace. Amen.
Pieces of the Puzzle 