Change Your Outlook on Worrying

No matter what your circumstances, you can still have peace and joy. There once was a man who worried way too much. In order to worry less, he decided that every time he started to worry about something, he would write it down on a piece of paper and put it in a box that he called his "worry box." Once a week he would take the slips of paper out of the box and allow himself to worry about those things for one day. In doing, this he thought, "I will dramatically cut down on the time and emotion I put into worrying." Much to his surprise the results were even more dramatic than he expected. You see, about half of the things he had written own had already resolved themselves completely satisfactorily! In fact, studies show that: 40% of the things we worry about will never happen. 30% of the things we worry about are in the past and we have no control over them. 12% of the things we worry about are criticisms of us that are likely not even true. 10% of the things we worry about concern our health, many of these outside of our control, and the worry makes us sicker. Only 8% of the things we worry about are are things we can and should do something about! So worrying is basically wasting today's time to clutter up tomorrow's opportunities, with yesterday's troubles. God wants is to live a worry-free life. If God is for us, who can stand against us? If we have God in our life, there is no need to worry. He already has a plan. The Bible says, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9 NIV) Here are several guidelines concerning worrying: 1. Don't let fear keep you from trusting God. Look at Paul's life. He wrote the Scripture above while He was in a prison, on death row! If we fear, we cannot trust (God). Worry comes from fear. We cannot worry and trust God. Paul said, "Don't worry about ANYTHING, instead pray about EVERYTHING!" When we worry, we are showing that we have fear, and that the basis of our trust is in ourselves or something besides God. Your worry will steal your peace and joy. 2. Adjust your focus. Turn your attention to something else. If we are too focused on worry, we can't focus on anything else. If we don't worry, we don't know what to do! Paul says, fix your thoughts on "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." 3. Experience the peace, joy, and contentment God desires for you. As Christians in America, we think once our kids are grown, we are healthy, and we have plenty of money, we will have peace and joy. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is a great deception. The peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but rather the confidence that Jesus is with is always - especially during difficult times. Paul said, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV) This is the secret to peace, joy, and contentment in your life. You can have it all right now! Does worry control your life? Do you ever wonder if this is all there is to life or if you could be doing more to make a greater impact and to live a life of greater significance? Truth@Life can help. Call 248-396-6255 or email me at curtis.songer@gmail.com for a FREE consultation. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/