Stop Worrying! It’s Not Good for You

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Stop worrying! It’s not good for you!

It’s bad for your health – mentally, physically, and spiritually.

But it’s easier said than done, isn’t it?

Life happens and there are plenty of things to worry about.

And with practice, you can turn worrying into a fine art as you try to foresee and prevent any and all possible problems.

I know what it’s like to be an expert worrier. “What if” questions dominated my thoughts.

So…

Take my word for it – or don’t – worrying doesn’t help anything. It is pointless and unproductive.

In fact, the negative effects of worry are so bad for us. It’s really not worth it.

The Bible has a lot of verses about worrying…

“The Lord Himself will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forget you. Don’t be afraid and don’t worry.” Deuteronomy 31:8

He [God] gives [people] the ability to accept their state in life and enjoy their work.They do not worry about how short life is because God keeps them busy with what they love to do. Ecclesiastes 5:19–20

“Don’t be afraid! Don’t worry! I have always told you what will happen. You are my witnesses. There is no other God but me. I know of no other Rock; I am the only One.” Isaiah 44:8

 ^“Look at the birds in the air. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds.You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.” Matthew 6:26–27

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. Philippians 4:6

Without qualification . . . you and I are not to worry about anything.

Why? Because worry is a lack of trust. The more you and I trust God, the less we will worry.

It’s just that simple.

Well, simple to say . . . not so simple to do.

And Paul said in Philippians 4: 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.

I was a very little girl when I first heard those words and even though I’ve them repeated often, I still struggled with fear and apprehension.

I worried about succeeding at school, my parent’s approval, the health and safety of people I loved,  and what friends and teachers thought about me.

And it didn’t get any better after Rev and I got married and had children.

I worried about being the “perfect” mom, wife, daughter, and friend. I worried about never having enough time to accomplish everything. I worried about my children’s physical, mental, and spiritual health.

I don’t know, it just always seemed like there was more than enough to keep me busy worrying.

Then about a dozen years ago, God lovingly showed me the truth.

Even with all my worry . . . I couldn’t prevent some of the very things I’d worried about from happening.

So, for all my efforts all I’d done was hurt my health and ruin my mood.

I ended up on medication to treat anxiety and had to abandon my fight for perfection because let’s face it, an anxious and stressed out mom is hardly “perfect!”

Worry is worthless!

It didn’t prevent a child’s rejection, an extended life-threatening illness, a premature birth, divorces, and death.

But God…

Two of my favorite words.

But God showed His faithfulness, carrying us through crisis after crisis with His strength and love.

And I learned to worry less because as God carried us through I began to trust Him more. It’s like an outward growing circle – more trust -> less worry -> more trust -> less worry -> more trust!

Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. Psalm 40:11

For His unfailing love for us is powerful; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord! Psalm 117:2

God is loving and faithful.

Yes, bad things happen. That’s why we worry. But focusing on potential problems is shortsighted thinking. God has an eternal plan for us. One that goes far beyond our temporary troubles.

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17

So, when I’m tempted to worry. I will trust God’s faithfulness and love.

And I will pray His promises.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22–23

Father, I trust your faithful love and mercy. Please forgive my doubt and help me trust you not only with my eternity but with today and tomorrow. Amen.

We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love Him. They are the people He called because that was His plan. Romans 8:28

Father, I know You have a plan for me and Your plan is good. Even when my day has problems with Your help my heart will be at peace because You are with me. Amen.

My God will use His wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need. Philippians 4:19

Father, You promise to give me everything I need. You’ve given me Jesus and in Him, I more than enough to forever say, “It is well with my soul.” What more could I need. I will trust in You. Amen.

God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection. Psalm 18:30

Father, I surrender all my worry and anxiety to You. I believe. Help my unbelief. With Your help, I can trust that everything You do is perfect and all Your promises are true. I can face each day with You, my shield and protection.

Please show me where I’ve failed to surrender to You. Forgive me. And help me, for I can face and do whatever You ask through Jesus, who gives me strength and courage. It is in His name I pray. Amen.

And with God’s help, I will stop worrying. It’s not good for me and it’s not good for you.

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