The Strangler

“Be careful for nothing…” — Philippians 4:6

The word “careful” of our text does not mean to be cautious, as being careful in crossing the street.  Instead it means to be “full of care.” The Greek word translated “careful” means “pulled in opposite directions”— Your hopes pull in one direction, but fretting pulls in the opposite direction thereby creating mental stress we call “worry.”

According to the “Dictionary of Word Origins” our word “worry” originally meant “strangle” or “choke.” That is exactly what worry does to you! It strangles your spiritual vitality and chokes your spiritual growth.

In the parable of the sower Jesus spoke of the seed (God’s Word) falling amongst the thorns and was “CHOKED with CARES…of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection” (Luke 8:14). A worrying Christian will never be a fruitful Christian.

View worry for what it is—A “strangler” seeking to choke off your spiritual breath (prayer). Worry kills (spiritually and sometimes physically).

No wonder Paul admonishes, “I would have you without carefulness” (1 Cor. 7:32).

DON’T WORRY!