When Worry Strikes !

It seems like we always have something to worry about, doesn’t it. Bills, we don’t feel well, not enough time in the day for what we need to get done on and on. However left unchecked worry can become a very destructive influence in our lives.

This first thing we want to do is understand that worry is a very natural process. We worry because we feel we have something to lose in a situation. It’s when we have too many worries in a particular moment, or that we are worried about is of vital importance to us that we must guard against getting overwhelmed.

We also want to seek out reminders from scripture, and our faith that God is here for us in our times of worry. Consider Christ’s words in Matthew 11:2 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Worry can certainly wear a person out ! Our savior hit that nail right on the head didn’t he ? Before the things you are worried about even occurred, God has already promised to be there for you. Pray about the things that worry you, lay them at God’s feet. Having someone to talk to, to think things through with, even if only in your private prayers can be a great help. Anything that keeps you from feeling like you are alone can’t be bad.

Christ never promised us that this world would be without troubles or worries. In fact he promised just the opposite ! He tells us that there will be difficult times, but that he has already defeated them for us. Ponder for a minute on the words of John 16:33 “ I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” In this verse Jesus reassures us that there is nothing in this world, that he has not already defeated for us !

But scripture has more to offer us in times of worry than encouragement ! One of the mistakes we often make is to let our worries stack up on us. Or to try and attack everything on our worry list all at once. It’s best to attack things one at a time. Deal with things one day at a time, or one hour at a time. If that is still too much it may be necessary to move to one minute at a time for a short period . We see this same concept in Matthew 6:34 “ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has trouble enough of its own.”

One of the best things a Christian can do is have a regular prayer partner. This needs to be someone you can trust with your innermost most private thoughts. If you are blessed with such a prayer partner you will want to call them in, when the worry starts to build to high. Not only will this person be able to add there spiritual strength to yours, when yours is flagging. Being also of the secular world your prayer partner may drawing on their own experience have some of the practical answers you are searching for. If you don’t have a prayer partner, your pastor as a neutral person who cares about your well being may also be of great help. Depending on the issues behind your worry, there may also be other members of your congregation that can help with practical advice.

So take a deep breath. Take a few minutes to spend with the comfort and reassurance that scripture is there to provide for us. Remind yourself that God has placed people in our path to help us in such times of need. Seek out these people ! Be alert as these people may not always be who you might think, or they may come from unexpected directions. Don’t let your worries gang up on you. Everything rarely has to be dealt with right this minute. Deal with today’s worry, and leave tomorrow’s worry for tomorrow. Never forget that we worry because we feel we have something to lose. Worry is more than just a preoccupation with potential bad news, it is a reminder that we have been blessed with things important enough to us for us to worry about !