Don't Worry Be Happy by Shalene

Most of you probably remember the song by Bobby McFerrin- "Dont' Worry Be Happy" from the late 80's (am I showing my age here?) And in it, he doesn't give us any Scriptural basis for this, per se. But did you know that there is a Scriptural basis for these words?

I was recently ministering to a friend of mine who was worried about some health issues she is having and I asked her if she would like me to share some scriptures with her that she could meditate on, while she was awaiting the results of some tests she had done. This is what I shared with her.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God Philippians 4:6 NKJV

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body.......... Matthew 6:25 NKJV

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day [is] its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 NKJV

Does worry bog you down? Do you become anxious, allowing the deceiver to speak lies into your life? Do you forget that God has a divine plan for you, and that nothing outside of His plan will come to pass? Do you forget that God gives us strength to overcome any trial or tribulation that He does allow into our lives?

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:2-6 NKJV

So what do you do with the worries and cares of the day? I am aware that it's not easy to just not worry. It's so much easier said than done. Therefore, I submit these additional verses for you to meditate on.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you 1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God Psalm 42:5 NKJV

--Lord, today I pray for the worries of the world. That I might be free of my worries, though they are blessedly few. I pray for the readers of these words, that they might know the freedom from worry that You alone can give. Blessed is he that trusts in You. I pray these things in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.

And for your listening pleasure: Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry Be Happy"


There is no "MORE" to this post.

A True Proverbs 31 Woman

As a Christian wife and mother, I find myself wanting to be a Proverbs 31 Woman. I strive to be all that she is. In doing so, I often find that I am trying to be all that she was, all at one time. Do you find yourself doing this? Do you find that you try to be a homemaker, business person, a giver of wise council, profitable in your dealings, able to spin fabrics or do other arts and crafts to beautify your home, and be faithful to the Lord all at once? The Proverbs 31 woman is said to be more precious than rubies, because of all that she does. I challenge you though, to find anywhere in Proverbs 31 that states she did all these things at the same time.

So often, I think we, as women living in the 21st century, try too hard to be all that society tells us we should be, while also attempting to keep that Word of God uppermost in our lives. I think that we forget that society is not the ruler by which we should measure ourselves. When we fall into the trap of perfectionistic performance, we subject ourselves to all manner of feelings that lead us into sinful behaviors and to have sinful feelings. Feelings of worry, anxiety, worthlessness, anger, self-pity, and on and on. How can we be givers of wise council, if the lives we lead to not illustrate that which would give glory to the Lord?

What happens to you when you feel worried, anxious, or unworthy? Do you, like me, take it out on those closest to you? Do you cease to be a mother whose "children stand and bless her" Proverbs 31:28 (NLT) or a wife whose "husband praises her." Proverbs 31:28 (NLT) Are you "clothed in strength and dignity, laughing without fear of the future"? Are your words "wise" and do you "give instructions with kindness"? Proverbs 31:25,26 (NLT)

We that are called to be wives and/or mothers are not called to perfection. We are called to be examples to our children of what Godly living is all about, and to be helpmates to our husbands. We are also called to be Titus 2 women: to "teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God." Titus 2:3-5 We cannot do this if we are trying so hard that we miss the prize.

---Lord, I pray today that you show me the path to serenity and balance in my life. Convict me of my sinful desires to be perfect in every way. Show me where I can improve. Be merciful in your correction, Lord, in the same way that I am to be to my children. I desire first and foremost to serve you and to mirror Christ's love to my family and to all I come into contact with. I thank you for your guidance every day.
In Jesus Holy Name I Pray.
Amen