Worry Not!

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27)
"The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the Word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the Word, making it unfruitful." (Matthew 13:22)
"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength." (~Corrie ten Boom)
"Worry is interest paid on trouble before it is due." (~Unknown)

I think we can all agree that worrying is wasteful and doesn't work. It weakens us and makes us weary. It weighs our heart down, causes our mind to wander aimlessly, and withers our soul. It ain't worth it!

Seven Worry Busters:
1. Seek God first.
"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33) It's a matter of priorities. When we put God first in our lives, we'll discover that all other pieces of the life puzzle will fall into place. No need to worry whatsoever! He will provide what we need when we need it. "But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:19-20)

2. Pray and worship God more.
"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." (Isaiah 26:3) When we pray and worship God, we set/"stay" our mind on God, resulting in peace. "Pray for wisdom to deal with whatever is worrying you. Pray that God will act to change the circumstances according to His will. He doesn't always do what we want Him to--but He knows what's best for us, and He can be trusted." (~Billy Graham) God's answers are always wiser than our prayers.

3. Want less. Be completely content in Christ alone.
Most worries stem, not from what we need, but from what we want. If God is enough for us, then we will always have enough, because we will always have God. In other words, when all we have is God, we have all we need. "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 everything through Him (Christ) Who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:12b-13)

4. Want God's will and God's ways, instead of ours.
We usually worry that things won't turn out the way we want. When we want God's will and God's ways, instead of ours, we willingly leave all matters in God's hand, let go, and just wait to see how God will work things out. "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (1 John 5:14) "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9)

5. Enjoy today. Trust God with each day.
"Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries Today's trouble is enough for today." (Matthew 6:34 NLT) Often things that we're afraid might happen never do. Don't waste time and energy on "what-if" worries for either the past or the future. It won't do you any good. And in the meantime, you'll be missing your opportunity to enjoy what is happening now. Worrying robs us of joy. "You can't change the past, but you ruin a perfectly good present by worrying about the future." (~Unknown) God meets our daily needs daily (ex: manna and quail for each day in the wilderness). God is never too late. 

6. Read and memorize God's Word more.
"Memorizing the Bible is most important. 'Thinking God's thoughts' will take the place of worried, anxious concerns." (~Billy Graham) God's Word encourages our heart and reminds us to walk by faith (not by sight) and to trust in God's wisdom wholeheartedly. God's Word adjusts our perspectives...helps us embrace God's perspectives, eternal ones.

7. Care less what people think.
You wouldn't be worried about what people think of you if you knew how seldom they actually do. Aim to please God, not people. "If your all is in the hand of the Lord, why worry about what 'they say'?" (~Unknown)

Pray about everything; worry about nothing!

This post is linked up with Fellowship Fridays @Christian Mommy Blogger, Faith-filled Friday @Missional Women, Still Saturday @sandraheskaking,  Spiritual Sundays, Essential Thing Devotions, Sharing His Beauty @The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates with God at The Wellspring, "Hear It, Use It", The Weekend Brew @My Freshly Brewed Life, and Inspire Me Monday @Create With Joy.