"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. – Matthew 6:34

Despite the challenging financial times, the wars, crime, job loss, divorce, etc. you have plenty to be thankful for. Only if you look around and acknowledge the good fortune you already have will you realize how good life can be.

Are you healthy? Are you employed? Do you have savings and are able to ride out the recession? Have children who are doing well? Have friends and family who support you? Ask yourself continuously “What do I have in my life that works?”

Worry Solves Nothing. Are you going to single-handedly solve the economy? Are you solving the war in Iraq? Do you have any influence at all on current events? Then why are you worrying about these things? The rule of thumb is, if you can’t directly impact the issue that you are worrying about then let it go. Concern yourself with things that you can directly impact and that have direct impact on your life.

Instead what you should be concerned with is, how you performing on your job or at your place of business. You should be concerned with are you spending enough time with family and real friends. You should be concerned with developing your spiritual life through prayer and meditation. You should be concerned with paying down debt by creating a spending budget and reallocating income.

Prayer and Meditation does Work. Every day I pray over all aspects of my life. Noticed I didn’t say I think about my life or worry about my life. Prayer and meditation is a spiritual dialogue allowing one to quickly move past fear, anger, worry, etc. No one can avoid these emotions but instead you should use a framework to accept them and channel those feelings into positive action. Sometimes it isn’t easy. I never knew how well it was working until I started having people periodically comment on why I didn’t seen to be as angry and discontented as some of the people I work with. The truth is the same things that are making them angry also make me angry or irritated. Briefly. I then examine the issues, determine if they are something that will directly impact my day and then let it go if the answer is a resounding no. In this fashion I am able to focus my thoughts and energies on what I can control.

No More “Stinkin Thinkin”. There are all types of books, recordings, and methods to get you to think positively. Utilizing these techniques can help you correct destructive thinking. Changing your thinking from negative to something more instantly positive is a deliberate, conscious choice where you switch the dial to better programming. After you become aware that you can change your mind instantly it becomes a very good habit. You choose to think about the right things. And those around me, we focus on the positive and on God’s Word. Why? Because the stress of focusing non-stop on negativity is harmful to your physical and mental health.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy.
If being a celebrity, having money, having homes, having fancy cars, etc. was all that’s needed for happiness we could open up the tabloids and read about it. Instead we see too many people who are unhappy, lost, often drink or drug addicted, self destructive, and just generally not really human any longer. They just happen to have a high profile and a lot of financial resources.
There is nothing wrong with having financial resources and comfort. In fact, it should be something that we all strive for! It was and should continue to be the American way of life. It is only when we are out of balance and we are depending upon these things to take our attention away from our spiritual anchors during both good and bad times that life tends to get out of control.
Moral confusion makes you unhealthy when your desire to acquire and have possessions becomes the focus of your life. In fact, at that point, your possessions begin to possess you and your unhappiness controls you and actually retards your progress towards experiencing the abundant life God created you to enjoy.
Let’s take a look at the AOL headlines for the week proceeding March 15, 2009.
AIG to Dole Out $165 million in Bonuses - Despite having received a taxpayer bailout of more than $170 billion, American International Group plans to pay tens of millions of dollars in new bonuses to its executives.
Man Kills 4, Then Himself at Family Gathering in Miami
Bedlam Breaks Out at 'Top Model' Audition
NFL Player Accused of Killing Pedestrian with Car
Lindsay Lohan is a wanted woman after a warrant is issued for her arrest.
Alabama Community Stunned by Rampage - spraying bullets through the town lined with old brick buildings, killing three more bystanders. The shootings cast a pall over an old town of 2,000 people that rarely changes.
Ask yourself will reading or listening to this type of news make you feel better or upgrade your quality of life. Are these really the types of thoughts you want swirling around in your mind? Do these thoughts take the place of positive and uplifting thoughts? If so, it is time to replace them with thoughts and ideas that benefit you, and by extension the people around you.
Let’s end with this scripture written by the Apostle Paul while in Philippi. It is important to note that when he wrote this letter he had been beaten, stripped of everything, and in prison. In case you’re wondering a 1st century Roman prison was a dirty, grim, horrifying place. Nothing at all like today’s air-conditioned cells!
Philippians 4:6, 7, 8, 11, 12
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little.

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.

©2008-2009 THJ & Associates, LLC

Author's Bio: 

Theodore Henderson, DTM - Distinguished Toastmaster -- The founder of THJ & Associates is a business coach who transforms the business lives of individuals who want to use biblical principles and Christian faith as a guide of success for all of the key areas of their life; spiritual, social, personal, family, and business. He is passionate about speech and communication and the application of biblical principals to business and personal success.

Theodore is a Distinguished Toastmaster who leverages his dynamic corporate background to help clients identify and target their niche, discover how to make bold, dramatic shifts in their entrepreneurial life by building a bridge from where they are today to where they want to go.

THJ & Associates: thjassociates.com
Plan - Communicate - Prosper Blog: thjassociates.com/blog/