Mark 16 - Don't Worry

“1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. 2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"
4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.”

What an awesome story and testament to faith. Here we have a group of people, going to do something good, something they felt necessary, something out of love, they were going to anoint Jesus. They gathered their things and went, not second guessing themselves, forging forward in spite of the circumstances, to finish the job. However, in the middle of their journey (on their way to the tomb), doubt and fear arose. How can we reach Jesus in the tomb? How are we to move the stone? This is where many would turn back. It’s a seemingly insurmountable task. You might even say, “well, we tried, we meant well, but it’s impossible, so let’s turn back”. But they carried on! They didn’t let the despair of the moment deter their task at hand. And what did they find when they reached the tomb? They found the stone rolled away! Praise God! What they were worried about, what they thought might be an insurmountable stumbling block was not even a problem, for God had already taken care of it!

Like this story, so too can it be in our lives. When we start a journey for God, we generally are so full of hope and excitement; however, in the middle, the enemy places seeds of doubt, stumbling blocks in our way. We begin to worry so much about what is to come that we lose focus on the task at hand. We take our eyes off of God and succumb to the despair of the world. If we let it, the worry can overcome us and cause us to give up or turn back. However, if we are following the will of God, focus on Him instead of our problems, take our concerns to Him instead of worrying about the outcome; I’m here to tell you, He has already anticipated the problems we will face, made preparations and, if we will continue in faith, has ALREADY taken care of them! Hallelujah!

So when you are facing insurmountable odds, when you feel tired and broken, when a heavy spirit of worry has overcome you and you feel like all is lost, remember this story and what the Bible says in Philippians 4, “6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Then hold your head up high, sons and daughters of Christ, and know that God is with you, watching you, keeping you and has already taken care of your needs. For He loves you like no other and doesn’t want you to worry, but to trust in Him!