Worry

“Can any of you add a single hour to your span of life by worrying?”
Matthew 6:27 (ISV)

Are you a worrier, worrying about work, the family, the home and bills, etc.? I have heard of different ways of dealing with them which all boil down to the same thing—hand them to God for Him to deal with them. Here are three ways, and plus mine, for handing worries over.

On arriving home, a chap would stop at the tree in his front garden and linger a while, talking to God. He gave Him all his work problems prior to going indoors. In this way he left his work problems with God at the tree rather than taking them into his family.

One lady had a worry box in which she would put scraps of paper on which she’d written her worries. Putting them in the box, she’d pray about the worrisome situation and then leave it in God’s hands.

Another made herself a worry coupon on which she’d written:  This worry coupon entitles the bearer to worry on condition that worrying about the situation:
a)         will feed and clothe you
b)         will add to your life, not take from it
c)         will make tomorrow better, and finally
d)         You don’t mind acting like a non-believer

My way is to de-brief with God at night before I go to bed. Out comes a pad of A4 paper. I date it and start writing. Addressing it to God, I tell Him all about my day, what I’ve done, how I’ve felt and why. I tell Him what’s on my mind, what I’m concerned about—whether big things or little. Anything I’m thinking and feeling all goes down on paper including thankfulness. The process of putting my thoughts and feelings on paper, addressed to God seems to release me from carrying worries around.  Sometimes I write the same things over and over again, but finally they stay on the paper and with God, instead of being picked up again.

So if you’re a worrier why not try one of these ideas or find your own? The main thing is to include God. “Throw all your worry on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)  He answers prayers, and there’s nothing He can’t do! (Matthew 19:26).

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can bring our worries to You as You care for us, You answer our prayers and there’s nothing which You can’t do. With our worries safely in Your hands, we don’t have to carry them. Thank You in Jesus Name.
Amen

Study by Ruth Edwards

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About the Author:
Ruth Edwards is actively involved in her Worldwide Church of God Bristol congregation, including editing Links, a church magazine for the congregations of the South West and South Wales area.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Bristol
Emmersons Green Village Hall
Emmerson Way
EMMERSONS GREEN
South Gloucestershire
BS16 7AP

Meeting Time:
Saturday 11:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Allan Frankcom
Email:  jf007d9991@blueyonder.co.uk