How to Quit Worrying

by

Phil 4:6 – Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer…


The word “worry” is derived from an old German word “worgen” meaning “to choke.” This mental strangulation affects many Christians. Dr. Charles Mayo, the founder of the Mayo Clinic said, “I’ve never known a person to die of overwork, but many who died from worry.” The analogy of worry is like a stream of fear trickling through the mind, when encouraged and fed forms a huge channel into which all other thoughts are drained. But, these verses have an answer for the sin of worry!

First of all, there must be a change of attitude. Verse 6 is a command for us to quit being “full of care” and consumed. We are to be “care free” instead of control freaks. To do this we must fully trust God instead of trying to plot and plan our own lives.

Next we must learn to ask God. The way to “be careful for nothing” is by praying about “every thing.” Often worry is what is substituted for praying and letting the Lord handle our problems. We are to invite the Lord into every aspect of our life. We belong to Him, and He really cares about our needs.

Then we are to trust God. I’m not saying we should be so care free that we are lazy by not doing what we are supposed to do! Some people use verses like this as an excuse for not being responsible. Trust is simply letting go like Moses’ mother did when she put him in the ark. She did the right thing even though it was not popular and not permissible. And she did the best thing even though it was hard and it hurt. Holding on is one of the worst things you can do and will consume you!

Finally we must thank God as we pray. We must thank Him when He says “Yes” and when He says “No”. As Joseph Scriven wrote: “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer!