Worry?

Jesus said in Luke 21 that there will come a day when men’s hearts will fail due to fear. The heart-attack rate in the US is on the steady increase. Stress and anxiety along with poor diet and a lack of exercise play a vital role in this increase. Does the Bible have anything to say about this? Can we biblically control the amount of worry or stress in our lives? The answer is, “yes”!

Jesus is the prince of peace. He said the peace I leave with you isn’t as the world gives but a greater peace, don’t be worried or be fearful (John 14:27). Paul wrote that we are to be anxious for nothing but pray, ask, be thankful and at peace about everything (Philippians 4:6). There are a number of verses that tell us not to worry or be anxious. We are told to rest and be at peace.

So why do we worry? Why are we anxious? Fear is a powerful weapon in the enemy’s arsenal. In fact, it is one of the very few powerful weapons he has, however like all of his weapons they only have as much power as we give them. If we choose to not be anxious, if we choose to not worry, then they have no power.

I know there are plenty of things to worry about out there. Here are a few ideas to bring it all under control.

1) If something is out of your control, why worry there is nothing you can do about it any way. Remember things are never really out of our control because when we pray things happen. Fear does not move God. Faith does!
2) Many times we worry about things that only “may” happen rather than must happen. Why worry about possibilities? When we worry about possibilities we are only focusing on the possibilities with a negative potential impact. There is always at least an equal amount of possibilities that have a positive impact to any given situation.
3) Do something about the problem! Rather than constantly worrying about something, become proactive and do something about them. If you are worried about your health, start taking care of yourself. If you are worried about your finances look for ways to correct any problems you may have. If you are not tithing, tithe. As long as your money is in your control, your finances won’t get better. If you are concerned about your future, start reading your Bible and developing a better relationship with Him. Whatever you control will only be as good as what you can do with it. Whatever God controls will be as good as what He can do with it!

A scripture that may be overused but I believe applies here, comes from the book of Jeremiah, chapter 29 and verse 11. “The plans that I have for you, says the Lord, are for a hope and a future, plans for your welfare and not for your destruction.” God has amazing plans for us, plans that we can even comprehend the complete scope of them. He also said in 2 chronicles 16 that God is constantly looking to fully and completely support those whose hearts are totally His.

How amazing is it that the God of the universe desires to support, strengthen, supply, encourage, and bless us. So why worry?

By the way, as a side note, gluttony is a sin! You can protect your heart by eating right rather than eating to meet an emotional need and by exercise. It will also help break feelings of depression and anxiety.