You Can Conquer Worry

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines
the course of your life.” ~ Proverbs 4:23
__________________________________

Are you a worrier? Do you find yourself thinking that the worst is going to happen? Are you continually uptight about your finances, your health, your marriage, your children, your job? If so, I have good news for you that will set you free from worry.

First of all, recognize that worry is a learned habit. No one is born into the world a worrier. So, since you once learned the worry habit, you can unlearn it.

Let’s explore together the root cause of worry. In this world, there are two basic forces at work: the life-force of God (called faith) and the death-force of Satan (called fear). Worry is really a form of fear, and, therefore, comes from Satan.

It is not God’s will that you worry. God makes this very clear in the Bible, the operating manual He provided for us when He created us. For instance, He says, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Elsewhere He says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow…” (Matthew 6:34).

These two statements are not suggestions, but commands. Since God commands us not to worry, this means that we have the ability not to worry, for God never commands us to do something we are incapable of doing. Moreover, if we disobey God’s command not to worry, we become guilty of sin. Yes, worrying is a sin!

Perhaps, however, you feel that you just can’t stop worrying, no matter how hard you try. What can you do? Here are some tips that have helped me when I’ve been tempted to worry:

1) Decide and determine that you are going to obey God’s command not to worry, no matter what the cost. Since God created you with a free will, you can choose not to worry.

2) Do not give in to feelings of worry. Resist them. To give in to feelings of worry is to feed those feelings. To resist feelings of worry is to starve them.

3) Realize that worry is a malfunction of the imagination. At any given moment, our imaginations are being controlled either by faith or by fear. When we worry, we allow fear to have the upper hand. This is why God instructs us to keep our minds filled with thoughts that inspire faith: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

4) Realize that worry is not a sign of responsible behavior. Many people believe that if they do not worry, they are not acting responsibly. On the contrary, to worry is to act irresponsibly, for worrying clouds logical thinking and results in poor decisions.

5) Understand that you will never completely conquer worry in your own strength. You need God’s help. Happily, that help is always available: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear” (Psalm 46:1-2).

A wise person once said, “Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles; it empties today of its strength.” Don’t let worry empty your today of its strength. Instead, replace worry with trust in God. When you do, not only will all your todays be filled with peace, but so will all your tomorrows.

YOUR TURN: Are you a worrier? If so, what have you done to overcome worry? Please post your comment in the box below. Thank you!

TWEETABLES:

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its troubles; it empties today of its strength.” ~ Anonymous (CLICK TO TWEET)

______________________________________

I welcome your comments. You may leave a comment by clicking here.

To receive these blog posts in your mailbox, please click here.

If you found this post helpful, please forward it to a friend. Thank you!

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

______________________________
If you like to read fiction, check out some of my books below:

____________________________________________

JOIN MY TEAM