Start Giving Your Worries To God

Preacher:
Date: July 17, 2023

Elizabeth Gilbert writes,

 

Some years ago, I was stuck on a … bus in New York City during rush hour. The bus was filled with cold, tired people who were deeply irritated with one another, with the world itself. …. No mercy would be found here.

 

But as the bus approached Seventh Avenue, the driver got on the intercom. “Folks,” he said, “I know you have had a rough day and you are frustrated. I can’t do anything about the weather or traffic, but here is what I can do. As each one of you gets off the bus, I will reach out my hand to you. As you walk by, drop your troubles into the palm of my hand, okay? Don’t take your problems home to your families tonight, just leave them with me. My route goes right by the Hudson River, and when I drive by there later, I will open the window and throw your troubles” in the river.

 

It was as if a spell had lifted. Everyone burst out laughing….

 

At the next stop, just as promised, the driver reached out his hand…and waited. One by one, all the exiting commuters … mimed the gesture of dropping something into his palm…. The driver repeated the same…at the next stop, too. And the next. All the way to the river.[1]

 

You know, God will do for you and me what that bus driver did. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT), “Give all your worries and cares to God.” No, God won’t just toss your problems in the Hudson River, because the verse goes on to say, “for he cares about you.” He will help you solve those problems as you drop them into His hands. Don’t take them home to your family tonight. Give them to the One who cares about you.

 

[1] Elizabeth Gilbert, from Dr. Ben Griffes’ October Health News, October 2, 2022.