In review of Philippians 4:6 it says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (NLT).
Imagine never worrying about anything! It seems like an impossibility; we all have worries on the job, in our home, in our neighborhood. But Paul's advice is to turn my worries into prayers. If I want to worry less, then pray more! Therefore whenever I start to worry, stop and then pray about it.
It’s not work that keeps me up at night; it’s worry that does. God clearly states in the Bible what he thinks about worry. So I need to consider that:
Worry is unreasonable. Here are a couple of reasons why that’s true. First, worry exaggerates the problem. Have you noticed if somebody says something bad about you, the more you think about it, the bigger it gets? Second, worry doesn’t work. To worry about something I can’t change is useless. And to worry about something I can change is a waste of time, as I just need to change it!
Worry is unnatural. No one is a born worrier. I might think I am, but I’m not. Worry is something I’ve learned. Since worry is unnatural, it’s also unhealthy. My body wasn’t designed to handle worry. When people say, “I’m worried sick,” they’re telling the truth. Doctors say a lot of people could leave the hospital today if they knew how to get rid of guilt, resentment, and worry. I’m reminded in Proverbs 14:30, “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body” (NLT).
Worry is unhelpful. Worry cannot change the past, and worry cannot control the future. All it does is mess up today. The only thing that worry changes is me. It makes me miserable! It’s never ever solved a problem.
Worry is unnecessary. God made, created, saved, and he put his Spirit in me. Why shouldn’t I think that he’s not going to take care of my needs? There’s no need to worry.
The first step in stress management is to refuse to worry about anything. Why? Because it’s unreasonable, unnatural, unhelpful, and unnecessary.
I”m reminded in 1 Peter 5:7, “You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern” (PHILLIPS).
God personally cares about and for my needs. So all those things I’m stressed, anxious, and worried about, let them go. Give them to God.
In summary, don't worry, instead pray. Tell God what I need, and thank him for all he has done. Paul's advice is to turn worries into prayers. Consider that worry is unreasonable because it only exaggerates the problem. Worry doesn't really work, for to worry about something I can't change is useless and to worry about something I can change is a waste of time, because I should just change it. Worry is also unnatural, it's something I've learned. It's unhealthy as my body is not designed to handle it. Worry is also unhelpful as it cannot change the past or control the future. All it does it mess up today making me miserable. It's never solved anything. Worry is also unnecessary. God created and saved me, why would he take care of my needs. So the first step is to refuse to worry. God tells me that I can cast all my anxieties on him for he cares. So the things I'm worried about, I can let them go. I can give them to God.
Given how much God cares for me, it’s somewhat silly and useless for me to worry about something. Worry will only paralyze me. It’s important to give what’s on my mind God and to do so with a thankful heart for what he has already done for me. I pray this morning Father that through your Spirit that you remind me to turn any form of worry into a prayer. Think and remind myself about and thank you for all the things you have already done for me. I pray today for wisdom and guidance for my day, my thoughts, my leadership and my interaction with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus Name, Amen.
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