What is worry?
Worry is a sequence of repetitive thoughts and mental images focused on threatening issues that have uncertain (but likely negative) outcomes.
Why do we worry?
Why do we worry?
There are two options:
Worry about nothing.
Pray over everything.
Give thanks for anything.
Worry about nothing.
The opposite of worry is
joy.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
Rejoicing is the act of showing joy.
Joy is not happiness.
Joy is the inner confidence that God is by our side and will take care of us.
Joy is the antithesis and the antidote to worry.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
Matthew 14:22-33
Matthew 14:22-33
“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”
“…The Lord is at hand.”
Two applicable options:
Matthew 6:25-27
“Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
God cares for all of creation, which he called good. How much more do you think he cared for the only creation he called very good?
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
How do we learn to leave our worries to God?
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”
“But in everything by prayer and supplication… let your requests be made known to God.”
Pray over everything.
When was the last time you talked to God?
Matthew 6:31-33
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
By expressing our needs to God, we are trusting God to take care of us.
“…with thanksgiving…”
Give thanks for anything.
Prayer isn’t about God aligning His heart with us. Prayer is about aligning our hearts with Him.
By giving thanks for anything, we are taking notice of the things that God has blessed us with, and the joy that comes from that.
Worry about nothing.
Pray over everything.
Give thanks for anything.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
When was the last time you felt at peace?
Philippians 4:8-9
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me– practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Think and practice optimism.
Worry about nothing.
Pray over everything.
Give thanks for anything.