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Let God be your worrier in 2011
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Do you remember the scare of Y2K? There were those who said computers were going to shut down at the stroke of midnight Jan. 1, 2000.
Many people did not travel over the Christmas holidays in 1999 because they feared gas pumps might quit working. No one wanted to be stuck away from home unable to fill up their tanks. So they stayed home.
Here we are 11 years later. The New Year is not quite as frightening as the panic back then, but admit it – 2011 holds a bit of mystery, and therefore fear, to it.
I am always a bit amused when I read stories of angels speaking to humans in the Bible. Inevitably their first words are, “Fear not.” And I fear that it is too late.
My grandmother was what you might call a worrier. When my mother would remind her that worry was a sin, Granny would reply, “I’m not worried. I’m just concerned.” And of course, that settled that.
When Granny died, my mom, the same one who chastised her mother, became the family worrier. I don’t know if I continue to carry the worrying mantle in our family, but I do know that worry seems to be natural to us.
Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” And the very next verse says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
And so there is the answer to 2011 and every year to follow. While you and I do not know all that is to come, God does. We need not worry, but simply to place it back in his hands where it belongs. He is big enough and strong enough and good enough that we can trust him. And trusting him leads to a peaceful heart.
I implore you not to worry about this year ahead, but to trust God with it. Let him deal with those things that would normally gnaw at your heart. Then, as you trust him, you can indeed have a most joyous and happy New Year.

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