THE
BOOK OF GOD'S PROMISES
Overcoming Worry and Anxiety
By
J. Steven Lang
CBN.com
-- Christian author William R. Inge defined worry as "interest paid on
trouble before it becomes due." Worry is the great plague of life, both for believers
and unbelievers. It crosses all educational and economic and racial boundaries.
It is human to worry, to fret, to fear something in the future. Worry may
be normal, but it also sinful. "Sinful?" you say. Definitely. The Bible is brimming
over with promises to God's people that we need not worry, for God -- not
we ourselves -- are in control of the universe. Happy are those who fear the
LORD . Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what he commands. When darkness
overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in. They are generous, compassionate,
and righteous. All goes well for those who are generous, who lend freely and conduct
their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil circumstances.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they
confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and
can face their foes triumphantly. Psalm 112:1-8 Give your burdens to the
LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Psalm 55:22 As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.
Psalm 119:143 Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person
up. Proverbs 12:15 Jesus himself, the Son of God, spoke many times on the
subject of worry. Jesus chose to depend completely on his Father, and he promised
his followers that they too could -- and should -- devote their lives to something
more fruitful than worrying. "I tell you, don't worry about everyday life --
whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more
than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest
or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far
more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to
your life? Of course not. "And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies
and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all
his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully
for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for
you? You have so little faith! "So don't worry about having enough food or
drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these
things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you
all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your
primary concern. "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its
own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:25-34 The apostle
Paul, in the following passage, promised Christians that they could dispel worry
by fixing their minds on good things, not on their own worries. It is one of the
classic Bible passages on worry, one that people should engrave on their hearts.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you
need and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's
peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace
will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear
brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your
thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are
pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy
of praise. Philippians 4:6-8 See also Contentment, Joy, Peace, Trusting
God.
The Book of God's Promises -- Copyright, 1999 by J.
Stephen Lang. All rights reserved, used with permission.
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