Worry: feeling anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems
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Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.
Corrie Ten Boom
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Worry is a thief, stealing our energy, attention, and the courage to act. Worry convinces us to not even try. It distracts us from our potential. Merely the act of worrying is enough to keep us stuck.
Worry weighs a person down;
an encouraging word cheers a person up.
Proverbs 12:25 NLT
According to studies published in Psychology Today, “91 percent of worries were false alarms. And of the remaining 9 percent of worries that did come true, the outcome was better than expected about a third of the time. For about one in four participants, exactly zero of their worries materialized.”
We do we worry about?
We worry about daily life, responsibilities, and material needs. These shifts focus from God and His loving care for us.
The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word,
but all too quickly the message is crowded out
by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth,
and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.
Mark 4:18-19 NLT
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Every morning I spend fifteen minutes filling my mind full of God,
and so there’s no room left for worry thoughts.
Howard Chandler Christy
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Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Then you will experience God’s peace,
which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
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“Do not worry about the past or the future.
This moment needs your attention,
for this is where your life exists.”
Corrie Ten Boom
Maybe it’s time to focus more on what could go right rather than being focused on what could go wrong.
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Father God,
I cast all my worries and anxieties upon You,
trusting in Your unfailing care.
Take the burdens that weigh heavily on my heart
and replace them with Your perfect peace.
Help me let go of control and rest in Your promises.
Fill me with faith and confidence in Your plan,
knowing that You are my refuge and strength.
Amen.