In the eyes of God, it is very important to be anxious for nothing. The Bible talks about worry 550 times. Why? Because worry is the beginning of unbelief.
Matthew 6:31-34 tells us that worry is for Gentiles and unbelievers, but not for the children of God. We can walk in confidence, faith, hope, and courage because of the 32,500 promises of God that are found in His Word.
Some people are like this: when everything is going well, they get lazy with God. They stop going to church. They don’t seek God or pray or study the Bible the way that they used to. But when a trial comes into their life, with their family or finances or health, then they seek God again. Sometimes this is why God allows people to go through trials: so that they seek Him. God is most concerned about our soul and so He allows us to go through trials in order to draw us back to Himself, because He loves us.
Philippians 4:6-10 instructs us to be anxious for nothing. When Satan sees our worry, he uses it against us as a weapon.
What is the fruit of worry?
- Worry makes us see ourselves as very small
- We nag and complain
- We become hopeless
- We lose confidence
- We lose our passion for God and the things of God
- We lose sight of the will of God in our lives
- We look at this world through our own eyes (instead of the eyes of God)
- We speak the wrong things (negative words)
Worry brings death into our lives. Medical professionals have even determined that worry brings disease. Worry also causes separation. When people worry, they become distant and grow apart from God, their spouses, their children, their families, and their friends.
Since worry is not for believers, how do we overcome worry? First, make God your own father. Many people think of God as Creator or as Lord, but you must see God as Father, as His Word tells in John 1:12-13 and Isaiah 43:1. We must see ourselves as His children. We must know in our hearts that we are His.
Second, we must deny our own way. As long as we hold onto our own will and way, we will worry about losing what is “ours”. We will be selfish and sensitive to our flesh, which makes us easily wounded.
Third, we will overcome worry through thanksgiving. As we give God a prayer of thanksgiving, even if everything looks hopeless, He will turn everything around for His honor and glory. This is His promise from Romans 8:28. God is the one who brings all good change into our lives.
As Spurgeon said, “When we thank God for candlelight, He will give us electricity.” Change in our situation starts when we thank God for exactly what we already have. A thanksgiving heart will take us higher and higher with God.
Fourth, we overcome worry through prayer and supplication. Before you worry, pray. Pray until you have peace that God is in charge of your situation, that He loves you as His child, that He is in control, and He will bring change in His perfect timing.
If you truly believe that God is in charge and that He loves you, you will pray. The book of Jeremiah tells us that God is a working God. He is working 24/7 for you, on your behalf. He wants to take care of you. Trust Him!
God bless you!
Pastor Sun Hui East
Good word! Worry is one of the sins that sneaks up on you. Pastor Sun East, thank you for the practical wisdom on how to overcome worry.
I think I worry too much! Thanks for the help to attept pulling out of it. Good advice Pastor Sun Hui East.
You made me think Pastor Sun East …I really didn’t think of myself as someone who worries because I know other people who seem to worry ALL the time. I guess that maybe I do, more than I realized. I’m often upset about my finances or work, I guess that’s worry.
I need to repent for worry, I have let the cares of this world into my heart. Thank you for the encouraging word Pastor Sun Hui East!
I think that as men, we are taught that we have to be the ones to make it happen. I know that I forget that I should take it all to the cross, Jesus, and my Heavenly Father! God bless your ministry. I was studying worry and this blog came up.
My mom had me read this today. She knew I went through a lot at school (with my friends). She thought it would help me deal with my worry. It did help, I feel better, like I do when I read the Bible. Maybe I should by a book by Pastor Sun Hui East.
I know that I spent a lot of my time worrying about my kids, I need to have faith instead. All I can really do is give it to God. Pastor Sun East, can you tell me why we never seem to find peace?
I do agree that being grateful takes away most worry! Thank you Pastor Sun Hui East for pointing this out again for all of us.
Number 5 is my weakness, I get lazy spiritually & stop reading the WORD each day, then I realize that I’m more distant from God with each passing day. I’m 62 years old and retired, so I have time to make God a priority in my life, I guess I just get lazy. Thanks for the wake-up call Pastor Sun Hui East.