WORRY! WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?

The answer is "absolutely nothing"!  It was not a trick question. We all know worry is not good for our health or even our relationships. For example, if you are a parent of an adult child who is living on their own , it is not good to have them constantly checking in with mommy or daddy. Trust that God will care for them and you raised them correctly then move on. Easier said than done I know. And as for your health, worry could cause many medical problems as well. 

What do you worry about? Maybe it is waiting to hear back on a college application to see if you were  accepted. It could be your child is in a war zone and you can not stop thinking about the dangers and the "what ifs". Perhaps you worry what people think about you. If you're a parent of a teen out driving you may focus on hoping they get home in one piece without a phone call. In the area my sister lives in they are being inundated now with tornado after tornado. People who live in "tornado alley" may be used to these monster storms but they are still frightened. If you happen to be employed by the US Government or in the military you may be worried about your paycheck or the security of this great nation. This list is obviously endless. The worry is absolutely USELESS as it will do nothing to change a situation. Prayer is what you need to do when you start becoming this way.

Guess who is the author and originator of worries? Well I will tell you who it isn't and that is God!  When  you catch yourself sinking into a worry mode then is the time to begin praising Jesus.  The devil will hate that. Start saying things like "thank you Lord that you are watching over me. Thank you Lord that I do not need to fear. Thank you Lord for protection. Thank you Lord for your perfect peace." Worry and fear go hand in hand. 

Here is a good scripture to memorize or write on a 3 by 5 card to read when you start to let Satan drag you into the "worry pit".  Psalm 91:5-19(NIV) says 'You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the LORD, who is my refuge-- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.'  There you have it!  Just remember that when you worry you basically are glorifying Satan because he is a "peace robber" and a "joy stealer". 

Isn't it time we do what it says in 1 Peter 5:7(NIV) and that is "Cast all your cares on God for He cares for you."

PRAYER: Today Lord there are many things I could fret about but I choose to "cast" my concerns on you. It is not your desire that I be weighted down with a load of concern. Only Satan likes that. I refuse to let Satan control my thoughts. I choose peace. In Jesus' name. Amen.