Worry! Why?

In 2 Kings 5:1-13 we find the story of Naaman. He was a well respected soldier who had leprosy. It is a well known story of a man asked to do something very simple in order to be cured. As the story goes, he wasn’t happy about it and almost missed out on being cured.

As I read this story again something different caught my eye. God’s word is funny that way. In verses 4-7 we see the King of Syira sending Naaman to Israel to be cured. "Naaman left and took along seven hundred fifty pounds of silver, one hundred fifty pounds of gold, and ten new outfits. He also carried the letter to the king of Israel. It said, "I am sending my servant Naaman to you. Would you cure him of his leprosy?" When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in fear and shouted, "That Syrian king believes I can cure this man of leprosy! Does he think I'm God with power over life and death? He must be trying to pick a fight with me."

What puzzled me was the king of Israel’s reaction to the request. I don’t know about you, but if someone came to me with seven hundred fifty pounds of silver, one hundred fifty pounds of gold, and ten new outfits, I wouldn’t think he was trying to pick a fight. I would think he was trying to be really good friends. Even if I couldn’t possibly grant his request, it would never occur to me that it was all a rouse to pick a fight. However, I do know people who always seem to think of the absolute worst scenario to every situation, first. Then they play every possible negative outcome in their mind and worry about what might be.

I was just wondering why God would put this bit of negativity into an otherwise positive story of faith. But then, isn’t life like that so much of the time. There is a negative, as well as a positive, side to almost every situation. I guess it really just depends on which side we choose to concentrate. In ever situation we have a choice to make. Will we trust God and expect the best or we will doubt God and worry.

Did you ever think about it in those terms? When we truly trust God, what do we have to worry about? If we truly trust God, shouldn’t we expect the best? Shouldn’t we look for the good in a situation? Shouldn’t we have peace in the midst of the storm. If we are fearful, are we truly trusting God?

Most people who know me would tell you I am an optimist. I tend to see the bright side of things. Does that mean I walk around with my head in the clouds? Not at all. I just choose to see things through my trust in God. I tend not to worry about things. Which doesn’t say I don’t get concerned sometimes, I just don’t let that concern consume me and become worry. When the doctor came in and told me I had cancer, I think I shocked him. I didn’t get upset or cry or any of the normal reactions. My first thought was, "Okay, so God will either cure me or I’ll meet Jesus face to face sooner than expected. So what do we do next?" I really felt no fear at all, which I think surprised me as much as anyone else. God is so faithful.

So why would God put a bit of negativity into an otherwise positive story. Maybe to show us that other people have those negative thoughts too, and that they are usually unfounded. Probably the only place the bad things are going to happen, are in our minds.