There are many things in this world that you and I can worry about. You can worry about your health, especially if you are not well, diagnosed with a disease or had an accident. You can worry about being able to pay for things that you need, whether that be food or clothes or medical care or lodging or transportation or bills that you owe. You can worry about your government, events occurring in your country, or evil individuals that might harm you. You can worry about coming storms or earthquakes or other natural disasters. You can worry about the church or the salvation of loved ones. You can worry about your family members or friends or associates. You can worry about your mental or physical capabilities or getting old. The list can go on and on. What worries you? When you worry, you imagine the bad that can happen and you dwell on the terrible consequences that can result. Or perhaps you go over in your mind all of the things you could say or do and you worry that you will make the right decision. Does this sound like you? But what does the Bible say? Philippians 4:6a “Be anxious for nothing.” In other words, don’t be anxious; don’t worry.
Remember the sisters Mary and Martha? Luke 10:38-42 “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’ And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’” Are you a Mary or a Martha? Are you worried and troubled about many things like Martha or have you put your trust in Jesus like Mary?
Matthew 6:25; 32-34 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Live one day at a time. Make the best decisions today that you can. Don’t worry about tomorrow; when it comes, live that day and make the best decisions for that day that you can. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Don’t borrow from tomorrow to add to your troubles for today.
How can you conquer worry and anxiety? The simple answer is to put your faith and trust in God. Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” Do you trust that He will never leave you nor forsake you? If you have eternal life awaiting you, nothing in this life can steal that away from you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” Have you cast all of your cares upon Him? Do you truly believe that He cares for you? Jesus told His disciples in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” The only way that you can have peace in your heart and not be anxious is to trust in God.
Look again at Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Here is the prescription for freedom from anxiety with resulting peace. Make a decision not to be anxious. Instead, present your prayers and supplications to God concerning what you might be worried about. Add in thanksgiving for all the blessings He has given you. Then accept the peace of mind that only He can give you when you have cast your cares upon Him.
My encouragement to you is to be anxious for nothing.