Worry is a normal part of the human condition. Our minds naturally drift towards thinking about what could or is going wrong in our life or our world. Jesus understood this and addressed it (Matthew 6:25-34), as did the apostle Paul. When writing from prison to the church at Philippi, Paul said:
Philippians 4:6-8. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. NLT
I like the way the Message Bible translation words this:
Philippians 4:6-8. Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. MB
I found that a good practice – as soon as I start to worry about something, I shape that worry into a prayer and start talking to God about my concern. It is amazing how much more you pray and how much less you worry with this kind of ritual!
May we each know and experience the peace of God today, protecting us from the worries and concerns of this life.
P.S. To read more about anxiety, including anxiety disorders, see Nicole's recent BLOG post on Let's Talk About Anxiety, as well as our daughter, Natasha's story: Anxiety and Eating Disorders: Tash's Story.