Worrying

 

 

I am not a worrier

But I worry,

If it doesn’t make sense

It’s an absurdity.

 

This must be one

If you see what I mean,

A worry-less worrier

Is what I deem.

 

A clear contradiction

Is what I see,

It’s either an oxymoron

Or an absurdity.

 

 

It is watertight

But yet it is leaking,

Like someone who is dumb

But yet speaking.

 

Sleepless nights

But I do not worry,

It’s constantly on my mind

But not what I study.

 

Worry brings stress

But I am not stressed

And though I often worry

Stress is not my test.

 

Not making sense?

Well, I do agree,

But Christians say this

Like you and me.

 

 

We are so blessed

We can’t be stressed,

And we are too appointed

To be disappointed.

 

Sounds really good

But is this really true?

Certainly not for me;

How about you?

 

I worry much

But I talk to myself:

Both asking and answering

Is good for my health.

 

When I am afraid

I trust in God

And when I am worried

He’s my all in all.

 

We all worry

At one time or another,

Don’t play let’s pretend,

For that’s a bother.

 

 

But let’s be honest

And deal with worry,

Let us admit it, confess it,

Don’t lag, hurry!

 

Stewart Russell © August 31, 2024

 

Warriors and Worriers

 

 

 

“Why worry

When you can pray?”

“It’s easier said than done”

Is what we also say.

 

Warrior or worrier

Which of the two are you?

In whom do you really trust?

Answer me true.

 

Believers, if you ask me,

Are prone to worrying,

Yet they do pray incessantly

With much warring.

 

Warriors

They appear to be

But worriers

Is what we see.

Seems a very thin line

Between the two,

Prayer warriors are worriers;

Is this what they do?

 

Hamstrung by terms

And engrossed with titles,

Trust and faith seem lacking

But are so vital.

 

Ineffective worriers

Masquerading as warriors

Touting faith and resilience

From concrete towers.

 

Warring with the enemy

For victory already won,

Looking like beaten down foes

Terrorized and undone.

 

This is the image I get

Like watching a performance

Where the bark is extremely loud

But is down on resistance.

 

Where is the faith?

Where is the trust?

Why are the warriors, worriers?

Why this anxious fuss?

 

 

 

Goliath the warrior

Was felled by a stone

Where prior to this great victory

Israel did groan.

 

As cowardly worriers

They faced the Philistines

Until David with his sling shot

Arrived just in time.

 

Baal’s warriors warred

Against God on Mt Carmel,

But were reduced to losing worriers

When all of them fell.

 

Battles are not won

By how well Christians pray

But in unrelenting trust in Christ

Who is the way.

 

 

From hearts inclined to God

Is where the battle is won;

Not in anyone’s skillful rhetoric

With words cleverly spun.

 

It’s not how we beg

Or how we moan and groan

But out of our humble hearts

Reserved for God’s throne.

 

Warriors are faithful

To the written Word of God,

Not trusting in worldly armour

Like Israel’s King Saul.

 

Prayer warriors worry

Like the worriers of Baal

Where worry indicates unbelief

And worry spells fail.

 

Stewart Russell © July 6, 2024