Don't Worry...be a Witness

 Guess the following song:

Here's a little song I wrote You might want to sing it note for note...
 
Know it? Yep, that song from the 80’s.
 
Don't worry, be happy In every life we have some trouble But when you worry, you make it double Don't worry, be happy
 
A fun, uplifting, frustrating song by the talented artist Bobby McFerrin. Why the frustration, you may ask? Good question. The song has great intentions, but in this life, there will be trouble (I heard that somewhere before), and the pursuit of happiness (another familiarity) is not the answer. Live long enough, the reality of trouble and worry becomes evident. Home. Work. School. Relationships. Trouble and worry can invade all aspects of our lives.
 
Of course, as Christ-followers, we understand the biblical truth about trouble and worry. They exist because “you will have suffering in this world” (John 16:33b, CSB). However, how often do we see this reality as an opportunity to experience joy and witness God’s handiwork (James 1:2-4)? Yeah, I agree that’s a challenge. This Sunday, our children (all ages) will learn about Paul and Silas’ imprisonment and how they used their time of suffering to show how a Christ-follower behaves in these times of trouble and worry. They sang hymns, prayed, and watched the prison doors open. What I love most about this story is they remained in their cell – ready to do the Lord’s work. My friends, don’t worry, be a witness for the Lord.

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