Change Worry to Worship by Asking God for Help
By Rick Warren
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6 NLT).
Have you ever had one of those days when nothing goes right? When the odds are stacked against you, you’re overwhelmed, and you wonder if you should just give up and go back to bed?
When you have a day like that—or maybe even a year like that—you have two choices: You can worry, or you can worship.
You can’t do both. If you’re worrying, you’re not going to worship. If you’re worshiping, you’re not going to worry.
Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (NLT).
The antidote to worry is worship—to pray, praise God, and ask him for what you need.
When many people hear the word “worship,” they think of music. Music is one way to worship. But worship really is an entire lifestyle. Every aspect of your life can be an act of worship to God.
For the next several days we’re going to look at what it means to worship. I’ll walk you through one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It’s found in the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles.
Three enemy nations—the Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites—ganged up on King Jehoshaphat. The king received a report that they were on their way to fight the nation of Israel.
The odds were three nations against one. But, instead of worrying, Jehoshaphat chose to worship by asking God for help: “Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he decided to ask the LORD what to do” (2 Chronicles 20:3 NCV).
His first reaction was fear—and, considering the odds, fear was reasonable.
The king could have let his fear intimidate him, discourage him, or cause him to give up. But, instead, Jehoshaphat let his fear motivate him to worship through prayer.
And he didn’t do it alone. He gathered others to pray with him: “The country of Judah united in seeking GOD’s help—they came from all the cities of Judah to pray to GOD” (2 Chronicles 20:4 The Message).
You likely never have had a day when three nations were united in war against you. But you have had days when the odds were not in your favor. And you will again.
When impossible days come, choose to worship God by asking him to help you. He will always hear and respond.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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