Living for God (TM)

"Worried to Death"

By Calvin and Lisa Wulf

     "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"  Matthew 6:27 (NIV)

     "I hate to admit it, but I'm really worried," he confides to his pastor.  "The world's in turmoil and even my business is shaky.  All I see these days is doom."

     "So how are you coping?"

     "Well, I try to stay positive, but some days I can't even get a grip. It's just too overwhelming"

     Worry paralyzes us.  We can't seem to concentrate on anything but our haunting circumstances.  Chaos prevails as we spin out of control.  Our sleep is restless and emotions rush to the edge.  Worry drives us into a dark, lonely corner.  Even God seems far away.

     What can we control by worrying?  Not much.  There are times when our concerns reveal real dangers that demand action.  But often worry is nothing more than misdirected prayer.  The flicker of anxiety becomes a flame when we take our focus off God to gaze at our circumstances.

     Worry draws us away from our trust in God.  But he's still in charge.  Actually, God has never lost control of a situation yet.  Remember, he's the one who created order out of chaos.   Our best remedy is to rely on our heavenly Father. Our pipeline to him is prayer. 

    Changing worry into trust isn't easy.  We often don't get the instant microwave results we crave and setbacks can happen.  Still, when anxieties rise up why not take action?  Turn your worries into prayers, face the cross, and hide them behind it.  Then God will whisk them away.  Guaranteed.

     Want to trade your worries for trust?  Here's how:

·        Turn your focus back to God.  Go to church and join others in worship.

·        Get out of your lonely corner.  Find encouragement with caring friends.

·        Worries are just prayers waiting to be born.  Offer yours to God.     

     Staying worry-free in today's anxious world is tough.  Don't let those little green monsters overwhelm your life.  Just stuff them in a big garbage bag and set them on the conveyor belt up to God.  He'll zap 'em!

Living for God (TM) offers resources on Christian living.  Check them out at www.livingforgod.net or call (719) 578-8837.

© 2007 Calvin R. Wulf and Lisa Are Wulf