Beyond Worry

by Steve Arterburn

So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34 NIV

It’s hard to build character when we’re worrying about everything in sight. But because life is sometimes difficult, and because we have understandable fears about the uncertainty of the future, we still manage to fret over the countless details of everyday life. We may worry about our relationships, our finances, our health, our habits, or any number of potential problems, some large and some small.

If you’re a “worrier” by nature, it’s probably time to rethink the way that you think! Perhaps you’ve formed the unfortunate habit of focusing too intently on negative aspects of life while spending too little time counting your blessings. If so, take your worries to God . . . and leave them there. When you do, you’ll learn to worry a little less and to trust God a little more—and that’s as it should be because God is trustworthy, you are protected, and your future can be intensely bright.

Much that worries us beforehand can, quite unexpectedly, have a happy and simple solution. Worries just don’t matter. Things really are in a better hand than ours. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Today is mine. Tomorrow is none of my business. If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my spiritual eyes so that I will not see clearly what is required of me now. Elisabeth Elliott

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. George Mueller

Bathe each day in prayer! Trying to carry the weight of tomorrow with today’s grace will clip your wings and keep you from soaring. Annie Chapman

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1 NKJV

Character builder

Assiduously divide your areas of concern into two categories: those you can control and those you cannot. Resolve never to waste time or energy worrying about the latter.