To worry or not to worry

Many of us are familiar with the story of Mary and Martha. The Lord showed me a new perspective on it this year. In the past, I have heard messages on this portion of scripture that Martha was in the wrong because she was so busy, whereas Mary was right because she took time to be with the Lord. However, if you look closely at this passage Jesus goes straight to the heart of the matter. He says, "you are worried and upset about many things.." He is addressing the attitude of her heart not the fact that she was so busy.

Luke 10:38-39

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Lately even when I have been taking the time to "sit at the Lord's feet" and listen like Mary did, the condition of my heart is the same as Martha's "worried and upset about many things." Once I realized this, I repented and asked the Lord to change my heart. I am a work in process right now. Here are some practical ways I am going to try to walk this out. I guess I am writing this out for accountablity purposes for myself (maybe someone else might find it helpful I don't know).


1) Turn the deep cry in my heart towards intercession for the people I am concerned about instead of asking the questions of "why".

Philippians 4:6

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God.

2) Try to focus on the day itself and not all of the impending decisions that need to made by making out a check list for just this day and a seperate one all the others.

Matthew 6:34

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

3) When I get stressed instead of eatting food, to read the psalms aloud until the craving goes away.

Psalm 34:8

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.