In 2 Corinthians 11:28, the apostle Paul says something very interesting,
Besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
You may be wondering, “Bayless, what does this have to do with my life?” Let me show you.
The phrase “deep concern” literally means anxiety and worry. And that phrase “to come upon” in the original language literally means “it conspires against me in order to overthrow me.”
The apostle Paul’s job was to oversee the churches that God had used him to establish, and in this verse he is confessing, “I daily have to battle with worry over these churches. How are they doing? Are they being misled by false prophets? Are they staying true to good doctrine?”
He was dealing with worry about those churches. Every day he grappled with that worry, and he had to throw it down.
It is easy for all of us to worry about our job. Some people, even though they are at home, never leave their job. They carry the burden around with them twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
They are always worrying about the job, even when they are home with their family. “How are things going at work? I wonder what they’re saying. I wonder about the competition. What about sales? What about my job security? What’s going to happen tomorrow?”
Consequently, when they get home from work, they are carrying this burden of work around with them, and they are robbing their family. Their own spiritual life is robbed, many times almost to the point of bankruptcy.
Do not let your family be robbed. Do not let your own personal and spiritual life be robbed because you carry the care of your job around with you. Instead, give it to God.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Bayless Conley is a pastor and speaker known for his clear presentation of the Gospel and the way he applies the life-changing truth of God's Word to everyday life. It's this same truth that radically turned his life around when a 12-year-old boy shared the Gospel with him many years ago.
Bayless' unique background and remarkable testimony have enabled him to reach a diverse audience of people globally. In 1979, God called Bayless to share His Word on television, and in 1984, the broadcast was launched. Today, the Answers with Bayless Conley broadcast is impacting lives around the world in numerous languages.
Bayless, with his wife Janet, pastors Cottonwood Church, a thriving nondenominational church located in Orange County, California. Bayless is the author of numerous books and booklets including Cast Down But Not Destroyed, Footprints of Faith, How to Pray, Turning Mistakes into Miracles, There Is Always Hope, and a 365-day devotional called Answers for Each Day.