Notes On Worrying

 

Do you worry from time to time?  Maybe you are worrying about something right now.  It could be over something like money, health, relationships, work, or some other big deal in your life. 

 

I've put together some notes on worrying for you and for me.  Quick little bullet statements.  Some of these notes are my own observations.  And some of these are quotes from other Christians.  

 

If you're worrying about something, take a few moments and give these ideas some consideration...

 

*  Not one time in my life has worrying ever fixed any of my problems.  Seriously, not one time!  And I can say with confidence that worrying won't fix any of yours.

 

*  Henry Ford once stated, "I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me.  With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end.  So what is there to worry about?"

 

*  Philippians 4:6-7 (New Living Translation) tells us, "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.  If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

 

*  The website www.webmd.com explains that "Chronic worrying affects your daily life so much that it interferes with your appetite, lifestyle habits, relationships, sleep, and job performance." 

 

*  Corrie Ten Boom offers this little golden nugget of wisdom:  "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow.  It empties today of its strength."

 

*  I've noticed that worry can make us pessimistic and unpleasant for others to be around.  Think about it.  Do you enjoy being around someone who worries excessively?

 

*  1 Peter 5:7 explains "Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you."

 

*  Joyce Meyer gives some great advice with this thought:  "When you begin to worry, go find something to do.  Get busy being a blessing to someone; do something fruitful.  Talking about your problem or sitting alone, thinking about it, does no good.  It only serves to make you miserable.  Above all else, remember that worrying is totally useless.  Worrying will not solve your problem."

 

*  It would be wise for us all to remember that God is bigger and stronger than any problem we face.  He can handle any dilemma that comes our way.  Knowing this should motivate us to cry out to Him in faith rather than to cower before our challenges in worry.

 

*  Benjamin Franklin once made this point:  "Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen."  That's a great reminder he offers.  Isn't it true that many of the things we worry and stress over don't actually come to fruition? 

 

*  Rick Warren reminds us where to put our focus when worry starts to creep into our hearts:  "The more you pray, the less you'll panic.  The more you worship, the less you worry.  You'll feel more patient and less pressured."  Amen to that!

 

*  When I begin to worry, I remind myself that the struggles of this life on Earth are temporary.  A bright future awaits us all in Christ Jesus.  And it's a future where there will be no tears, no sickness, no sadness, no death, and no problems.  Knowing what awaits in the future should help us all to worry less in the present.

 

*  In Matthew 6 (New Living Translation) Jesus says "I tell you no to worry about everyday life" (verse 25).  Later in that same chapter He says, "...don't worry" (verse 31).  Finally, in verse 34, Jesus reminds us, "...don't worry about tomorrow."  His repetition means we need to listen.  He is reminding us that when He is our Lord, we do not have to be dominated by worry.

 

There you go, my friend.  Those are some notes on worry.  I hope they serve as a little bit of an encouragement to you and yours.

 

Let's pray and trust God more.  Let's worry about our problems less.  And let's remember that the future is bright indeed for us in Christ Jesus The Lord.