How to be Worry-Free

I know it doesn’t change a situation. It can even create some pretty serious problems. I’m talking about worrying. I don’t have to take a class to be an accomplished worrier – it’s something that comes naturally. The enemy knows exactly what buttons to push to send me off into ‘what-if’ mode.

Seems I’m not the only one with the propensity to worry. The children of Israel could worry with the best of them. Remember their exit out of Egypt? The final plague had Pharaoh practically begging the Israelites to leave his land. They were free at last – 430 long years of slavery had come to an end.

I can imagine how ecstatic the people must have been. But their joy didn’t last long. In fact, it ground to a halt and quickly turned into worry when the Israelites realized Pharaoh and his army were in hot pursuit of them. They were afraid. They cried out to the Lord and turned on Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness…it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness,” (Exodus 14:11,12b; KJV).

But Moses shared a message from the Lord – a message of faith that could overcome even the greatest fear. “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace,” (Exodus 14: 13-14).

The people had a choice to make. Would they choose fear or faith? The Lord was on their side, and as Moses stretched his hand out over the Red Sea, the children of Israel witnessed a miracle. An east wind caused the waters of the sea to be parted so they could walk through on dry ground!

As Pharaoh and his army attempted to follow them into the sea, God caused their chariots to get stuck in the sand. Mass chaos followed as Moses once again stretched his hand out over the Red Sea and the water came crashing down over the Israelites’ enemies. Not a single one remained.

Giving in to fear hadn’t changed their situation. Putting their faith in an almighty God had! Over and over again, the children of Israel were reminded that worrying didn’t accomplish anything. Their God would provide for them.

The same is true in my life. Why worry when I have God’s recipe for peace, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:6-7). Instead of focusing on my problems, I can focus on my great God who is able to overcome any hardship I’m facing.

What about you? Are you a worrier? What step will you take today to replace your fear with faith in a great God?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding me that worrying is sin. Help me remember the example of the children of Israel – and choose faith over fear. Thank You for being greater than any problem I face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.   

Taming the Worry Monster

Worry. A short, five-letter word that can cause colossal problems when put into practice. Health concerns, financial pressures, relationship issues, and a whole host of other situations, can cause the worrywart to surface in me. I have to admit, when a situation is out of my control, I have a tendency to leave the door wide open for Worry to waltz in and command center stage.

Worry lives up to his definition, causing me to become anxious, distressed, and troubled. Instead of providing solutions, Worry invites irrational thoughts to surface and pretty soon my heart rate is elevated, my stomach is in knots, and I'm forced to count sheep in an effort to get some sleep. Can anyone relate?

Fortunately, the Worry monster CAN be tamed. God's Word sheds abundant light on the subject of worry. The words 'fear not,' appear 62 times in the Bible! God's trying to tell me something! What's He saying? Don't worry! He shares the futility of worrying with a lesson from nature:

"Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek): for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," (Matthew 6:27-33; KJV).

Point? He cares about my every need. Simply put, worry accomplishes nothing. More seriously, worry is a sin. The Lord wants me to trust Him with my life and all it includes. The big things, and yes, even the small things. He instructs me to trust in Him with my entire heart and refuse to lean on my own understanding. To acknowledge Him in all my ways, knowing that He WILL direct my paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

As I put this principle into practice, will my life be problem-free? Absolutely not! But I have my gracious Heavenly Father's promise, "Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God," (Philippians 4:6; italics mine). Like a child, confident that her father will take care of the problem, I can approach my Savior knowing that He will deal with my difficulty in His perfect will.

The result? Look at the promise: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus," (Philippians 4:7). Perfect peace in the midst of my storm. A peace that calms my anxious heart and assures me of my Heavenly Father's care. Now that's what I need! How about you?

Do you have a tendency to worry? Are you willing to trust God with your concerns? What will you do today to tame the Worry monster?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for worrying about things I have no control over. Open my eyes to see that worry doesn't accomplish anything constructive, and in fact, can be very destructive. Help me to trust in You completely and to bring my concerns to You, so I can experience Your peace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Perfect Prescription

I noticed that she didn't have the usual sparkle in her eye, or the spring in her step. In fact, her demeanor was puny at best. For a puppy who usually runs down the hill to greet me, tail wagging all the way, Precious' current lack of enthusiasm clued me in: I knew a trip to the vet was necessary.

Following her appointment, I walked to the car, three different medications in hand. An ear infection warranted two of the prescriptions, while a skin irritation required the third. There wasn't a general pill that could be given to take care of both problems, but rather specific medications for each need. Otomax to be messaged into her ears to clear up the ear infection, as well as an oral antibiotic to rid the infection from her system. Hydroxyzine could be given up to three times a day to help with the itching caused by an allergic reaction.

Within 24-hours, Precious had visibly improved. Her eyes were clearer and she once again bounded down the hill to greet me. There was no doubt in my mind that the medications were working.

I was reminded that just like the vet knew the specific medications my dog needed, the Great Physician knows exactly what 'medicine' I need for each trial I face. When I'm discouraged that the article I labored over wasn't accepted, He gives me the prescription for encouragement, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance" (Psalm 42:6; KJV).

When the phone calls I make are met with insensitivity, I can meditate on His sensitivity as shared in Psalm 42:8, "Yet the Lord will command his loving-kindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life." When those negative thoughts begin to bombard my mind, I can take His 'pill' for positive thinking, "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

His prescription for worry is outlined in the book of 1 Peter, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7). When I'm having an especially difficult time forgiving that friend or relative, He gently reminds me, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14-15).

Just like I needed to take my dog to the vet to get the medicine that would make her well, I need to go to the Great Physician and receive the 'medicine' from His Word that will heal my soul. My Heavenly Father knows when I'm in need of a prescription. He's well-acquainted with every 'sickness,' and He knows the exact 'medicine' I need for my soul.

If you're under the weather today, won't you schedule an appointment with the Great Physician and let His Word apply healing balm to your soul? There's never a wait, and His prescriptions never fail!