MONDAY January 24, 2022

Wrestling with Worry

Be anxious [careful] for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

An old English root word for the word worry means “to strangle.” It gives a vivid picture of a person slowly being strangled through constant worry. They do it to themselves! Worry can affect a person’s health and demeanor. It steals joy, peace and health. An individual can stop eating and lose weight, and suffer with depression. They can become very stressed, uptight and edgy.

I warn you, worry has certain physical consequences. It can give you headaches, pains in your neck, joints or throughout your whole body. It affects your digestive system and gives you ulcers. Anxious thoughts can place stress on your heart, upset your coordination and bring an unhealthy imbalance to your body.

Worriers can drive other people away because they can become so emotionally unstable. All they talk about is their worries. Have you worried about your next payment for rent, your children or your job? Has worry caused you to bite your nails and lose your hair? Then you have failed to trust in the Lord. God desires to work in your life as you believe in Him and His Word to work all things together for your good (Romans 8:28).

From a spiritual point of view, worry is wrong thinking created in the mind and wrong feelings in the heart about any circumstance. It is not just enough to say to ourselves, “Stop worrying.” That will never capture the thief of worry. We need to put into practice Philippians 4:6-7.

Do not just petition God, but start thanking Him for everything you have and all He has done for you. Thanksgiving is important. Make it a habit to thank God before making your requests. Get on your knees and glorify Him. He will answer according to His will, and the peace of God will come.

Anxiety is a word of unbelief or unreasoning dread. We have no right to allow it. Full faith in God puts it to rest.
~Horace Bushnell~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!