New Seasons – Day 12

What is worry? Worry is to allow a situation or event to upset you so much that you stress about it or fear about what may happen. You allow negative emotions to control your life and thoughts. What does worry do to us? It can cause stomach pain, headaches, sleepless nights, back pain and various diseases. The author of the book How to overcome nervous stomach trouble, Dr Montague, says, “You do not get ulcers from what you eat, but you get ulcers from what eats you.” Worry destroys a person’s mind and body. It can affect you spiritually, so that you struggle to pray. Worry is a symptom that your emotions are not well managed and you cannot hold anyone else responsible for that. You see, worry and fear are neighbours. First you worry about something, then you start to fear the worst and you lose control! Once fear has taken over, you have lost control. What does worry not do? Worry does not pay the bills, dry tears or help you to keep your job. It never holds a family together or puts food on the table. Worry does absolutely nothing except destroy your life. It’s like sitting in a rocking chair. You are constantly moving, but you go nowhere. Worry has no benefit; it is detrimental to you and it poisons your mind and body. How should we deal with worry? You need to make the conscious decision that you’re not going to allow anything to upset you so much that it takes control of your life.

Furthermore, Paul suggests that you take whatever is worrying you and, with prayer, petition and thanksgiving, place it in God’s hands. We should deliberately place the management of our lives in the hands of the Lord. Give all the unmanageable things and emotions to the Lord and trust him with them. If you place your worry in the hands of the Lord, your anxiety will disappear and you will experience inner peace, even though, externally, your situation may not have not changed.

Psalm 37:5: Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.