How to not be a worrywart

Do You Worry?

I find myself getting anxious over many things. When I’m running late, struggling to reach personal or professional goals, family matters, the affairs going on in our nation. There is plenty to worry about in today’s world, yet God tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” Philippians 4:7

Really? Anything?

I confess, some verses are just hard to obey. “Do not kill,” I get, but to never worry about anything? This one seems almost impossible.

I tend to get anxious about situations that I want to go a certain way because, frankly, I want control, but many times I’m anxious about things over which I have no control. What I’ve found is that being anxious actually just complicates the situation and makes it worse. Worry never helps.

What can we do?

So how do we keep from being anxious or worrying about circumstances or situations that are important to us? God tell us in the next verse that when we bring our petitions to Him in this way, “The peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 When we do our part, God promises to do His part!

We do live in perilous times, but God promised in His word that He will remain faithful to all generations. That includes us!

To never stress or worry is something we can strive for every day. We won’t reach perfection, but we certainly can become better at it day by day by bringing all our concerns to Christ, with thanksgiving, and learning to trust Him. Just like anything, the more we practice, the better we become.

Whenever you find yourself worried or getting anxious about a situation, repeat Philippians 4:6-7 to yourself to remind you to trust God. Then see how your mind and heart become transformed in that moment. It helps! God knows I have to do that often!

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26.3