Worry can be a daily fight. For many of us from the moment we awake the temptation is there and waiting for us to engage in worry. The voice of worry is familiar, yet it’s far from our friend.
Pastor Rob Morgan says worry – a negative focus on the future we can’t control – robs us of the ability to move in the present. He shares the reminder that God’s command to “be anxious for nothing” is vital for our mental and spiritual health.
“Maybe the absolute worry-free existence is in Heaven. But the Bible is telling us, when we find ourselves worrying or beginning to feel anxiety rise, there are things we must do to stop that.”“We don’t have to just sit around and give vent to these emotions and feelings: we can fight them, with the help of doctors and counselors, but especially on the basis of scriptural truth.”
“When we wake in the morning, the Lord is near. He hasn’t left our side; regardless of what we face, the Lord is at hand. When we finish the day and fall asleep at night, the Lord is there by our beds. When we can pray and read our Bibles, we are having a conversation with God, just like a friend in the chair beside us.”
“Knowing that He is near is an important key to conquering fear and worry. If you have the almighty God of the universe around and within you all the time, there’s nothing to really worry about! He can handle anything.”
For a quick list of strategies to win over worry, Rob recommends Philippians 4:4-7.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Robert J. Morgan is the teaching pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, where he has served for 38 years. He is author of several books including [amazon text=%title%&asin=0529104407] and [amazon text=%title%&asin=0718079612].