The typical person is someone who, over a span of a lifetime, spends valuable time he or she can never get back, worrying about something or another.  Students worry about grades in school, having the right friends, wearing the latest styles, etc. As adults we worry about job interviews and approaching deadlines, along with remaining employed; have concern about bills and expenses, rising gas prices, cost of insurance, and paying seemingly endless taxes. People obsess about making good impressions, being politically correct, concerned about identify theft and possibly becoming infected with contagious infections like COVID, etc.

ANECDOTE FOR WORRY
Worry is a futile thing
It’s like a rocking chair
  It will keep you occupied
  But won’t get you anywhere.

Over a lifetime, hours and hours of valuable time may be spent in worry…time that is impossible to get back. Most people would rather spend time enjoying life more and worrying less. Though it may be hard to give up worrying…consider what the Bible says about worry.

1. Worrying Accomplishes Absolutely Nothing.

Worry is a waste of precious time…time that none of us have to throw away. Worry has been defined as "a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind until it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained."

Worrying won't solve a problem or bring about a possible solution, so why waste time and energy on it?

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. Matthew 6:27-29 NLT

2. Worry Is Not Good for You.

Worry is destructive. It drains your energy and saps your strength. It can cause missing out on the present joys of life and the blessings that God provides. Mental burdens can even cause you to become physically sick. A wise person once said, "Ulcers are caused not by what you eat, but by what is eating you."

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. Proverbs 12:25 NLT

3. Worry Is the Opposite of Trusting in God.

The energy spent worrying can be put to better use by spending time in prayer. The Christian life unhampered by worry results in a sense of freedom…and, sets a good example for unbelievers.

Live one day at a time and handle each worry as it comes--through prayer. Most of what we worry about never happens anyway; and those that do can only be handled at the moment and by God’s grace. Here’s a formula to remember: Worry replaced with prayer equals trust.

And, if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Where is your faith? Matthew 6:30 NLT

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

4. Worrying Puts Your Focus in the Wrong Direction.

When we keep our eyes focused on God, we remember His love for us, and we realize we truly have nothing to fear. God has a wonderful plan for our lives, and part of that plan includes taking good care of us. Even in the difficult times, when it seems like God doesn't care, we can put our trust in the Lord and focus on His Kingdom.

Seek the Lord and His righteousness and everything we need will be added to us. Matthew 6:33.

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That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25 NLT

So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.  Matthew 6:31-34 NLT

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 NLT

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A wise person once said, “There's no use worrying over what you have control over because if you have control over it, there’s no use worrying about it. There’s no use worrying about what you don’t have control over because if you don’t have control over it there’s no use worrying about it.” So that about covers it, right?

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I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.

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