Many of us spend time and energy on worry instead of faith.

Dr. Warren Wiersbe has some things to say about that.

“What is worry? The Greek word translated anxious in Philippians 4:6 means ‘to be pulled in different directions.’ Our hopes pull us in one direction. Our fears pull us in the opposite direction. And we’re pulled apart. The old English root from which we get our word ‘worry’ means to strangle.”

If you have ever really worried you know how it does strangle a person. It’s a scientific fact that worry has definite physical consequences such as headaches, ulcers, or back pain. Worry also affects our thinking, our digestion, and our coordination.

What does worry do?

From the spiritual point of view, worrying is wrong thinking and wrong feeling of the heart about circumstances, people, and things.

What can we do to defeat worry?

“It’s not enough for us to tell ourselves just quit worrying, because that will never capture a thief. Worry is an inside job and it takes more than good intentions to get the victory. The antidote to worry is a secure mind.” – Dr. Wiersbe

God’s peace will guard, garrison, and guide you in Christ Jesus. But we have to choose to focus on it.

Trust and worry are opposing forces. You turn your back on one to behold the other. God invites us to trust; either turn your back on worry and behold the trust that God invites you to. Or you turn your back on trust to gaze on the thing you’re worrying about.

Dr. Wiersbe issues a challenge.

“When you have a secure mind, the peace of God guards you and the God of peace guides you.  With that kind of protection, why worry? If we are to conquer worry and experience a secure mind, we must meet the conditions that God has laid down – right praying, right thinking, and right living.”

Ask yourself these questions:

What pattern of thinking have I developed that has actually weakened me? What leads me to fear instead of faith?

Key Scriptures: Philippians 4:6-8; Psalm 37; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; John 16:33

Featured Songs: Refresh Me from Leeland; Strength of My Heart by Rend Collective; Scandal of Grace by Shane & Shane; Child of God by Kathrynn Scott; When I Survey by Kathrynn Scott; The New Jerusalem by Matt Gilman

Highlight : What are you beholding?

Spiritual reset: Worry, wait, wonder