You Really Only Have Two Things to Worry About...

Hey Harbor Cov!

There’s a joke that goes like this…

You really only have two things to worry about: whether you’re healthy or whether you’re sick. If you’re healthy, you don’t have anything to worry about.

But if you’re sick, you only have two things to worry about: whether you’re going to get better or whether you’re going to die. If you’re going to get better, you don’t have anything to worry about.

But if you’re going to die, you only have two things to worry about: whether you’re going to heaven or whether you’re going to hell. And if you’re going to heaven, you don’t have anything to worry about.

But if you’re going to hell, you only have two things to worry about: regular or extra crispy.

Even though this is a joke, it does speak to the reality that there is always something to be afraid of. At every phase of our lives there seems to be a new monster under the bed.

And as 42 year old man who is also husband, father, pastor, bay area sports fan living in the PNW… these are the constant thoughts in my head. Most of them have a fear of some kind attached to them.

Marriage, kids, sermons, congregation, God, faith, doubts, culture, politics, polarization, unity, truth, grace, budget, inflation, tuition, college, retirement, health, cholesterol, exhaustion, boundaries, expectations, criticism, fantasy football, vacation, yard work, kids schedules, empathy, smartphones, algorithms, influencers, trends, relationships, heartbreak, safety, anxiety, depression, diet, exercise, counseling, leadership, authenticity, time, aging, legacy, parents, purpose, regrets, hopes, peace, rest, vacation, sabbatical, eternity.

Deep breaths.

What gives me peace in all of this is that the same spirit of God that brought Jesus back to life is with me and can give me peace no matter what I am facing.

The peace of God is vital for us because, without it, we let our fears dictate our lives. We might walk out of a moment with a glimmer of joy, only for the weight of the world to come crashing back in, leaving us overwhelmed by that endless list of things to worry about or be afraid of.

But Jesus’ resurrection offers something different. He provides a peace that defies explanation—a peace that empowers us to actually live the life he has called us to lead.

So join me this week in welcoming God’s peace into all areas of our lives and then passing that peace to others.