What Can I Do With My Worry

WHAT CAN I
DO WITH MY
CONTENTS WORRY?

T
he Serenity Prayer is a
“I’m Worried!” . . . . . . . . 2 good place to start. Many
What Is Worry? . . . . . . . 4 have found peace of mind
Why Do We Worry? . . . 8 in the words, “God grant me
serenity to accept the things
What Can We Do
With Our Worry? . . . . 10 I cannot change, courage to
change the things I can, and the
Turn Our Attention
To God . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 wisdom to know the difference.”
The Bible gives a basis for
Trust Beyond
Ourselves. . . . . . . . . . . 17 such a prayer. But it also gives
so much more. The Scriptures
Talk To Someone
Who Cares . . . . . . . . . 20 tell us a great deal about the
heart of the One who has asked
Throw Our Cares
On The Lord. . . . . . . . . 23 us to bring our cares to Him.
In the following pages,
A Biblical Case
Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 author Dave Egner expresses
sensitivity for the anxieties that
Joanie’s Story . . . . . . . . 26
wear us down, and a real basis
The Greatest for believing that there is a
Worry . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
God who wants us to find our
serenity, courage, and wisdom
in Him.
Martin R. De Haan II
Managing Editor: David Sper Cover Photo:Terry Bidgood
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas
Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.All rights reserved.
© 1992,2003 RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan Printed in USA

© RBC Ministries. All rights reserved.

“I’M WORRIED!” quiet and withdrawn as the
31st approached. Jan was

G
ene and Jan were waking up in the middle of
worried. Rumors the night, and not able to
had been circulating get back to sleep. They
for months that the plant were worried.
where Gene had worked Gene and Jan are
for 27 years was going to Christians. They attend
cut back 25-30 percent church regularly and
in production. If this consider themselves
was true, layoffs on all spiritually mature. They
levels, including Gene’s believe that Christians
supervisory ranking, were shouldn’t worry. “God will
certain. Now the news had take care of you,” their
leaked out that the cuts pastor said. They believed
would occur at the end that and they prayed about
of the month. it. But they were still
Gene and Jan were worried.
overwhelmed by the A lot of us are like Gene
uncertainty—bombarded and Jan. We worry. So do
with questions about the many Americans. Worry is
future. “If I lose my job, will “the number one mental
we be able to make it? How health disorder in America”
can we keep up with the (Worry-Free Living, Minirth,
house payments? What are Meier, Hawkins, p.17). For
we going to do about health some, worry is linked to
insurance? What kind of specific panic-inducing
job can I get at 56 years situations that result in dry
old? Will Jan have to go mouth, shortness of breath,
back to work?” Gene or uncontrollable tears. For
became increasingly others, worry is a chronic,
2

vague, never-ending fear to be the right kind of
that something terrible is Christian parent or spouse.
about to happen to wreck We want to be a good
everything. For others, it’s witness to our neighbor.
the fear that people are not So we worry about it.
going to like them or will We may even worry
disapprove of how they’re because we see ourselves
dressed or the way they as worriers. We know that
talk. we shouldn’t worry, but we
One woman sought just keep worrying. We
counsel because she was don’t know what to do.
beside herself with worry
about the salvation of her
grown children. She woke
up at night thinking about
Believing you
it. She examined her heart shouldn’t worry can
again and again to see if be something else
she really believed God
could save them. This
to worry about.
woman was crippled with
worry, and she needed to
do something about it. The purpose of this
As followers of Christ, booklet is to help us
we certainly aren’t immune see, from a biblical and
to worry. We are living practical point of view,
under the same pressures what we can do with our
of society that everyone worry. By understanding
else is. In addition, what worry is, why we
sometimes even our worry, and what the Bible
spiritual convictions can be has to say, we can turn our
a source of worry. We want worry into spiritual growth.
3

WHAT IS The primary New
WORRY? Testament word for worry
(merimnao) means “to be

B
efore we turn to the anxious, to be distracted, to
Bible to see what have a divided mind.” It’s
we can do with our the word Jesus used when
worry, it might be helpful He said, “Do not worry
to answer a few basic about your life” (Mt. 6:25).
questions about worry. And Paul used it when he
What is worry?
It’s a feeling of uneasiness,
apprehension, or dread. Worriers dwell in
These feelings are usually
related to negative thoughts
the “what if ’s”
of something that may of life.
happen in the future. “What
will I do if my husband
comes in upset and angry?” wrote, “Be anxious for
“If my daughter goes to a nothing” (Phil. 4:6). People
state college, will she be who worry are preoccupied
okay?” “If we go ahead and or distracted. No matter
get this house, will we be what else they may be
able to make the payments?” doing, one part of their
“Will we survive the next mind is worrying.
earthquake?” Who worries?
Worriers live in the Everyone! No person lives
future. They spend a without some worry. A
disproportionate amount person who claims he
of time speculating on doesn’t have a care in the
what might occur, and world is in a state of denial.
then fearing the worst. Every person who takes
4

responsibility seriously Suppose you live in a high-
can’t help but feel a certain crime area and you have to
amount of worry. It’s one arrive home from work after
reason things get done. dark. You worry about being
Some of the greatest world mugged, and you feel great
leaders were worriers: relief when you arrive home
Alexander the Great, safely and bolt the door
George Washington, behind you. One reason
Winston Churchill. people worry is that they
Interestingly, many high are physically threatened.
achievers are worriers. They Other people are
are driven by their worries threatened by what others
about what might happen if think of them. They want to
they fall short. But people look good and do well at all
who appear to be laid-back times. When thrust into an
worry too. They just don’t unfamiliar or demanding
show it. Yes, everyone situation, they worry about
worries. doing the right thing. Many
What do we worry of these people avoid taking
about? It’s sometimes said risks to escape the possibility
that worry superimposes the of facing disapproval.
future on the present. Worry Still others worry about
is a preoccupation with the the threat of abandonment.
painful consequences of They need continual
what might happen. Worries reassurance that their
generally arise out of one of spouse or friends will
three categories. not leave them.
1. Threats. You don’t 2. Choices. Many people
have to live in New York or worry when they have to
Chicago to recognize the make a decision. They will
reality of the threat of crime. do anything to avoid making
5

a wrong choice. This is true us with a choice. We can
even when they are faced choose to avoid the source
with two good options. For of our worry. But this only
example, John was offered increases the stress. Or we
two teaching positions. One can face it, take appropriate
had better benefits; the other action, and put it behind us.
gave him better courses and
the opportunity to coach
baseball. He was worried Worry shifts the
about making the wrong
choice and ending up burden from God’s
unhappy. strong shoulders
3. Past Experiences. A to our weak
third cause for worry comes
out of the past. A young man shoulders.
may have trouble with male
authority figures because
of his relationship to his What does the Bible
father or a bad incident say about worry? The
with a teacher. He worries Bible teaches that there
whenever he has to discuss are two kinds of worry:
something with his boss. He (1) a negative, harmful,
can’t stand the threat of crippling worry, and
being humiliated again. (2) a positive, beneficial
Worry, then, is a concern. The same Greek
preoccupation with bad word (merimnao) is used in
things that may happen. the New Testament for each.
It’s the fear that we’ll Negative worry in
be embarrassed, suffer the Bible is a troubled
pain, experience loss, or be fretting and anxiety. Jesus
inconvenienced. This leaves mentioned this kind of worry
6

six times in the Sermon concerned about (same
on the Mount (Mt. 6). He word) their welfare (Phil.
commanded His followers 2:20). This was a good kind
not to worry about the of worry that spurred Paul
everyday cares of life: food, and Timothy into loving
clothing, shelter, or even the involvement for the sake of
future. Paul told us to “be others. We will use the word
anxious for nothing” (Phil. concern for this positive kind
4:6). And Peter instructed of worry.
his readers to cast their When am I worried
cares on God (1 Pet. 5:7). too much? We have
In this booklet, when we use moved from a healthy
the word worry, we usually concern to an oppressive,
have this negative, crippling crippling worry when we:
kind of worry in mind. • Can’t sleep because
But not all worry is we can’t stop thinking
bad. The Bible also speaks about what might
of a beneficial worry. In happen.
2 Corinthians 11:28, Paul • Feel guilty whenever
spoke of his “deep concern we relax.
for all the churches.” The • Are afraid of something
word translated concern here all the time.
is the same Greek word used • Feel panic in certain
for worry in the previous situations.
references. Paul was worried • Refuse to look at our
about the believers, so he feelings.
wrote to them. • Blame others for
Paul also told the everything.
believers in Philippi of his • Have a vague fear
desire to send Timothy to of disaster.
them because he was
7

WHY DO WE power of the wind and the
WORRY? huge waves. He thought
about the danger he was

A
n incident in the life in and began to question
of the apostle Peter whether he could survive
will help us answer in a situation like that. He
this question. Do you began to sink. He cried out
remember the time the to Jesus, who reached out
disciples were out in a boat His hand and escorted Peter
in a storm? Jesus had sent back to the boat.
them ahead while He went We’re so much like
to a mountain to pray (Mt. Peter. His experience
14:22-33). A strong wind illustrates why we worry.
swept across the Sea of 1. We worry because
Galilee. It was so powerful we’re vulnerable. As
that the exhausted disciples human beings, we are
could make no headway susceptible to many things.
rowing into it. Then Jesus Disease may strike. The
appeared, walking to them economy may change. We
across the water. The may get stranded by an
disciples were terrified. automobile breakdown or a
After Jesus identified sudden airline strike. We
Himself, Peter was skeptical. could get hit by a drunk
“Lord, if it is You, command driver. We’re afraid someone
me to come to You on the may say cutting words or
water” (v.28). When Jesus offer harsh criticisms that
said “Come,” by faith Peter will wound us deeply.
walked out on the water We are frail, mortal,
toward Him. sensitive human beings. We
But then he looked are vulnerable physically,
around him. He saw the emotionally, and spiritually.
8

We can get hurt in many layoff at work. Whatever
ways. Like Peter, we are it is, it forces us to see our
merely human and capable weakness.
of drowning. We worry 3. We worry because
because we are vulnerable. we distrust God.
2. We worry because Confronted with our
we become aware of our vulnerability, we have a
vulnerability. Most of the choice. We can turn our
time we feel relatively safe. safety over to God and trust
We can make our home Him with our apprehensions.
secure. We can drive a Or we can take our well-
reliable car and keep it in being into our own hands.
good repair. We can get That’s what Peter did on the
regular checkups. We can water. Confronted by his
buy good insurance. We frailty, he lost faith in Jesus.
can maintain peaceful Yet he knew he couldn’t save
relationships. We take himself.
care of ourselves physically, Jesus’ words to Peter are
emotionally, and spiritually. revealing. “O you of little
But then something faith,” He said (v.31). Peter
happens that makes us stopped trusting Jesus.
painfully aware of our When we no longer feel that
vulnerability. We’re like we can trust Jesus with our
Peter when he saw the lives, our feelings, or our
wind and was afraid. It future, we worry. And that is
could be an engine that sin because we are taking
begins to knock. Or one of responsibilities on ourselves
our children is ill. Or there’s that belong to the Lord. We
pressure in our chest. Or we are stubbornly refusing to
discover a mysterious lump. place ourselves in His strong
Or we hear rumors of a hands. No wonder we worry!
9

WHAT CAN WE choices. First, she looked
DO WITH OUR at things differently. She
began to see her feelings
WORRY? of vulnerability as an
opportunity to grow, both

L
inda was a worrier. She’s emotionally and spiritually.
the first to admit it. She She did that in two ways.
worried about her She learned from the Bible
husband’s job, the how to handle her worry.
neighbor’s dog, the And she took some
children’s lunches, practical steps to help her
the car’s rattles, the break free. Oh, she still
family’s insurance, the locks the house—and she
church’s nursery, the roast should. But she is no longer
they were having for dinner. crippled by feelings of
Linda was particularly helplessness.
concerned about the house We too can get to the
being safe at night. She place where we can make
made sure that every our worry work for us.
window and door had a To turn our worry into
double lock. Every night opportunity, we can take
before going to bed, Linda the following four steps:
made a couple of circuits 1. Turn Our Attention
around the house to make To God.
certain that all the doors 2. Trust Beyond
and windows were securely Ourselves.
fastened. She knew she 3. Talk To Someone
worried too much. Who Cares.
Linda is now free from 4. Throw Our Cares
her worry. Her release came On The Lord.
as a result of a series of
10

URN OUR
ATTENTION
TO GOD
heaven, and His kingdom
rules over all” (Ps. 103:19).
He is God Almighty (Ps.
66:7). He is the sovereign
Lord of all.
Worriers feel that things
are out of control—that
something terrible is about
Worriers have focused their to happen and they can’t
eyes on the consequences stop it. When the questions
of events that have not raised by those feelings
yet happened. They feel create anxiety, worriers
vulnerable and expect need to remember three
the worst. They take important truths about God.
responsibility for things that 1. God is everywhere
are out of their control. But (Ps. 139:7; Jer. 23:23-24).
if they will turn to God, they We can’t get to a place
will find in His character the where God is not. There
answer to their vulnerability. is no place, no matter
God’s character is best seen how alone we may feel,
in His Word. that God cannot be. He
God Is In Charge. is everywhere!
The Bible teaches that 2. God knows
nothing happens in this everything (Job 7:20;
world that is beyond the Ps. 33:13). He knows how
knowledge and control afraid we are, how bad we
of God. “The Lord has feel, what scares us. The
established His throne in more worried we become,
11

the more we act as if said, “I’m an athlete. I’ve
God were ignorant of our always made my body do
situation. We don’t know whatever I wanted and my
the future, but God does. body responded. But when
He knows how everything is I tell myself I must stop
going to turn out. He knows being anxious and stressing
our needs. myself, I can’t.” The more
3. God is all-powerful he told himself to control
(Gen. 17:1; 18:14; Mt. his anxiety, the worse it got.
19:26). Worriers feel that Then it was as if God
no one has the power to spoke to him. “Who’s in
stop the bad things that charge here?” “You are,” he
might happen. Not even answered meekly. And as
God, they think, can keep that truth and commitment
their daughter from getting came to his mind, peace
pregnant or their son out of flooded his heart.
jail. But God has limitless God Can Carry Our
power. The answer to the Burdens. The cares of life
question, “Is anything too that weigh on us so heavily
hard for the Lord?” (Gen. can be placed on the
18:14) is no! shoulders of God. He is
William Backus, in The more concerned than we
Good News About Worry, are about our health, our
wrote about his brother-in- children and grandchildren,
law, an athlete who was our loved one’s salvation,
in the hospital recovering world peace. He helped
from an angioplasty. The David kill the bear, the lion,
procedure was successful, and the Philistine giant. He
but he remained in danger protected David from the
the next 24 hours. He was murderous rages of Saul.
worried! As he lay there, he He kept him safe in enemy
12

country. Perhaps that’s the rock-strewn beach. A little
reason David could write, boy was trying to carry a
“Cast your burden on the sack of rocks he had
Lord, and He shall sustain collected. He couldn’t keep
you; He shall never permit up with his family. Once or
the righteous to be moved” twice he fell. He didn’t have
(Ps. 55:22). the strength to lug that big
load. Then his big brother
saw him. He went back,
“Cast your burden picked him and his sack of
on the Lord, rocks up, and carried them
both. That is what God is
and He shall waiting to do with us once
sustain you.” we hold our arms out to
Psalm 55:22 Him. “Commit your way to
the Lord,” the psalmist said,
“trust also in Him” (37:5).
But how do we give our God Can Take Away
burdens to God? How do we Our Fear. Worry is how
place them on His shoulders we express our fear of the
and leave them there? By future. We’re afraid of the
acting on what we know. consequences of what lies
We know that He is an all- ahead: What questions will
powerful, trustworthy God. appear on the exam? How
When we worry, we hold will I do at the dentist? Will
back from trusting Him. We our city be hit by a tornado?
are putting ourselves in His Worry began in Eden
place. We’re saying we can after Adam and Eve had
do better. We need to turn it sinned. They hid from God
over to Him. because they were afraid of
I was walking along a the consequences of their
13

choice to eat the forbidden faceless, powerless
fruit (Gen. 3:10). “I was apprehensions of the future.
afraid,” Adam said.
Knowing that God is a
good God—that nothing evil
can originate in Him—helps How much better
drive fear away. When we it is to fear One
can say with David, “Good who loves you to
and upright is the Lord” (Ps.
25:8), we find assurance. the point of giving
When we are worried about up His Son than
the future, we can follow the to be afraid of
example of the psalmist and
“taste and see that the Lord the nameless,
is good” (34:8). faceless, powerless
Accepting God’s love apprehensions
for us also helps drive fear
away. If we are to have any of the future.
fear, the Bible tells us, it
is to be a fear of God (Dt.
10:12,20; 13:4). Yet to fear David knew God’s
Him is to love Him and to goodness and love by
accept and feel secure in His experience. That’s why he
wonderful love for us. How could tell us that even when
much better it is to fear the he was in the darkest valleys
Creator than anything He of life, he feared no evil (Ps.
has created. How much 23:4). In Psalm 31 he wrote
better it is to fear One who of terrible life experiences—
loves you to the point of being forsaken by his friends
giving up His Son than to (vv.11-12) and attacked by
be afraid of the nameless, his enemies (vv.13,15). Yet
14

he could say, “But as for minds. We’re like a father
me, I trust in You, O Lord” whose 3-year-old son is
(v.14), and “My times are in the hospital fighting a
in Your hand” (v.15). dangerous infection. He
When we’re afraid, we goes to work while Mom
can do something about it. stays by the bedside. But
Time after time the Bible even while he works, part of
tells us not to be afraid. Our his thinking is always in that
responsibility, accepting the hospital room with his little
goodness and love of God, boy. Every mother who has
is to make the same choice seen her son go off to war
David did. We must say, knows that feeling. So does
“Therefore we will not fear” Dad when his daughter is
(Ps. 46:2). on her first date or his
God Can Sustain teenage son is late getting
Us. In a context where he back with the car.
had spoken of war, famine, God can sustain us
and evil men, David said during those worrisome
that those who trust in God times. David wrote, “Cast
“shall be satisfied” (Ps. your burden on the Lord,
37:19). The basic meaning and He shall sustain you”
here is that they will not (Ps. 55:22). The God who
tremble; they will not be cannot be moved will keep
shaken. In the midst of the us from being shaken by the
legitimate concerns of life we worries and cares of life.
need not quiver with fear. God Will Always
Why? Because God can Be With Us. Worry is a
sustain us by His power. solitary burden. We tend to
When we feel vulnerable, carry it alone. The more we
we become distracted by the worry, the more alone and
concerns that are on our helpless we feel. But as
15

children of God we are dismayed, for I am your
never alone. We will never God” (41:10).
be abandoned. David Joshua knew of it. God
assured us of God’s said to him, “As I was with
presence in Psalm 139, Moses, so I will be with you.
where he said that God I will not leave you nor
knew everything about him forsake you” (Josh. 1:5).
before he was even born Moses knew of it. “By
(vv.13-16), and that he faith he forsook Egypt, not
could never escape God’s fearing the wrath of the
Spirit (vv.7-12). Morning or king; for he endured as
night, land or sea, heaven seeing Him who is invisible”
or hades, God is there. (Heb. 11:27).
Yes, David knew of The disciples knew of
God’s ever-present care. it. Jesus said to them just
He wrote, “When my father before He ascended, “I am
and my mother forsake me, with you always, even to the
then the Lord will take care end of the age” (Mt. 28:20).
of me” (Ps. 27:10). Who We know of it too. When
among us didn’t fear Jesus gave that promise to
parental abandonment as His disciples, He was also
children? Sometimes those talking to us.
terrible feelings return to The next time you start to
us. It is then that we must be overcome by worry, turn
remember the promise of to God and remember that
God that He will always (1) He is in charge, (2) He
be with us. can carry your burdens, (3)
Isaiah knew of God’s He can take away your fear,
ever-present care. The Lord (4) He can sustain you, and
said through him, “Fear not, (5) He will never leave you.
for I am with you; be not
16

RUST BEYOND
OURSELVES
living by faith. You’re too
concerned about food and
clothing and things. Put Me
and My kingdom first and
you’ll be all right.”
Remember, the Lord
had just been telling His
followers to make choices
that would lay up treasures
The major teaching on in heaven, not on earth
worry in the New Testament (6:19-24). We can almost
was given by Jesus in the hear the silent objections
Sermon on the Mount (Mt. of the crowd, “Oh, sure. If I
6:25-34). In that passage lived like He says—always
He gave us the antidote to thinking about heaven—I’d
worry. He was speaking to starve to death. A person’s
devoutly religious people got to eat, you know.”
(like many of us) who were That’s probably the reason
looking for the Messiah but Jesus began His teaching
were not ready for His with the command, “Do
coming. Jesus mentioned not worry” (v.25).
worry 6 times in these 10 Causes Of Worry
verses. What He had to say (Mt. 6:25-32). Unless His
speaks to us as we cope followers stopped worrying
with our fast-paced, stress- about the cares of earth,
filled, materialistic society. they would never be free
Jesus said, in essence, to store up treasures in
“You are filled with worry heaven. Jesus said that
because you aren’t really worrying about the essential
17

needs of life is unnecessary. become so accustomed
If God takes care of the to our materialism that
birds of the air and the we worry about what will
flowers of the fields, He happen if we don’t keep up.
certainly will take care Jesus said that all our
of His children. worrying is unnecessary.
We do have a He recognized it as a real
responsibility to work problem, but a needless one.
and provide for the needs Birds have to eat, but they
of ourselves and our don’t get migraines worrying
families. The apostle Paul about it. Flowers “wear
said, “If anyone will not clothes,” but they don’t
work, neither shall he eat” have to be treated for
(2 Th. 3:10). Jesus wasn’t ulcers. Why? Because
teaching that we are to their heavenly Father
become passive recipients. takes care of them.
His point was that we Worry’s Hidden
should not fret, worry, or be Agenda (v.30). The
anxious about our needs. underlying cause of worry
Many of us, however, are is identified in Jesus’ words,
worried about much more “O you of little faith.” We’re
than meeting the essential burdened down with care
needs of life. We want to be because we do not trust
seen at the “in” restaurants, God. We don’t really believe
have a car a little better that He is running our world
than our neighbors, build efficiently. We’ve stopped
a house with a little more trusting Him to care for
square footage, dress in the our needs, even though He
latest fashions, and many promised that He would.
other things that our society We’ve shifted our eyes
views as important. We’ve from heaven to earth. We’re
18

trusting in ourselves instead He said, “and all these
of trusting in God. We’ve things shall be added to
taken the responsibility for you” (v.33). Exercise faith.
the future onto our own Give priority to God and
shoulders. We feel that you’ll lay up treasures in
we can’t trust God with heaven.
important matters like When we listen to Jesus,
that any longer! we realize that getting rid of
worry is a matter of choice.
When we choose to trust
Worry is unbelief God rather than ourselves,
our worries will subside.
in disguise. The answer lies with us.
It comes down Are you obsessed with
to the fact worry about having enough
to eat? What you’ll wear? If
that we’re not your house is big enough?
trusting God. Whether you’ve got the right
car? If your retirement is
secure? A lot of Christians in
Jesus’ Antidote For our world have learned from
Worry (vv.33-34). Jesus hard experience that those
said that worry boils down things aren’t nearly as
to a matter of priorities. important as we think, and
We worry about food and that God keeps His Word to
clothing, and competing, provide. They’ve learned
and controlling the future, that the things that nourish
instead of concentrating faith are the most important,
on what is most important. because in the real tough
“Seek first the kingdom of issues of life it is faith that
God and His righteousness,” they need the most.
19

ALK TO SOMEONE
WHO CARES
prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known
to God; and the peace of
God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard
your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus
(Phil. 4:6-7).
In Paul’s letter to the There are three words
Philippians, we find an used by Paul in Philippians
important alternative to 4:6 that describe what we
worry. Instead of giving in are to be doing instead of
to our vulnerability, we can worrying.
take positive action that will 1. Prayer. The word
help us to stop worrying. Paul used here is the most
Paul gave the believers in common word for talking to
Philippi a specific command: God—prayer. It refers to
“Be anxious for nothing” prayer in general and is
(4:6). It was the same most likely related to the
command Jesus gave on the worship aspect of prayer.
Galilean hillside (Mt. 6:25). When we pray, we are
Jesus went on to explain the to acknowledge God’s
futility of worry, but Paul greatness and give Him our
told the Philippians that adoration, devotion, and
instead of worrying they respect. Recognizing God as
were to pray. the sovereign Lord, we are
Be anxious for nothing, to bring our worries to Him.
but in everything by 2. Supplication. The
20

second word Paul used in When we pray as an
describing his alternative to alternative to worry, we are
worry is supplication. This removing the burden from
refers to the expressing of our shoulders and placing
our needs to God. These it on the broad shoulders of
are our earnest requests, Almighty God. And once we
our desperate cries for help. trust Him with our cares,
These supplications can be we can thank Him for being
for ourselves or for others. the kind of God who loves
When you are worried, us, who is keenly interested
take that worry to God. in our problems, and who
Ask for His help. Earnestly has the power to answer
petition Him. The God who our prayer.
told us to ask, seek, and Bring your vulnerabilities
knock will give, help us find, to the One who has the
and answer (Mt. 7:7-8). power to do something
3.Thanksgiving. The about them. When you
third word describing the wake up at night worried
prayers that are to replace about your sister or your
our worry is thanksgiving. job or your little boy, pray.
Sometimes we become so Train your mind to stop
concerned with our problems and redirect all the energy
that we forget the gracious from worry, which is
ways God has worked in the destructive, to prayer,
past. We fail to see that He which is constructive. Ask
has dealt with us according God to help, to intercede, to
to His grace and mercy and convict, to open a door, to
has met all of our needs. It work the kind of miraculous
helps to calm us when we change only He can work.
remember how God has When you’re
cared for us in the past. overwhelmed by the
21

frightening prospects of the You’ll be pleased at how
future, pray. Express your much that will help keep
apprehensions to the Lord. those worries from crippling
Turn them over to Him. and controlling you.
While you’re waiting for
a traffic light and you’re
worrying about paying Bring your
the bills, pray. Ask God
to provide, then move on.
vulnerabilities
God hears your prayers. to the One who
In an article in Focal has the power
Point, a publication of
Denver Seminary, Paul
to do something
Borden gave a good action about them.
suggestion for worriers. He
recommended making a
worry list. When you’re Then Borden suggested
worried about something, that you turn that prayer list
write it down. Perhaps it’s into an action list. As God
the health of your aging gives you insight and
mother, or replacing the confidence, do something
refrigerator, or changing about those cares. Even if
churches. Write it down. you only do a little, you’ll
It will help you when you soon find that a paralyzing
see that specific worry in anxiety is replaced by a
black and white. healthy, manageable concern
Next, turn that worry for the responsibilities of life.
list into a prayer list. Pray Are you worried? Pray.
about those things you If you’ve done that, pray
are concerned about. Pray again. Use the energy of
about them specifically. worry to pray instead.
22

HROW OUR CARES
ON THE LORD
terms of our own
happiness. We must
be humble enough to
accept what we receive
from God’s mighty hand.
2. Giving Our
Worry To God. We are
to put our helpless feelings
of worry into those same
Peter offered an alternative all-powerful hands. We are
to worry while writing to to cast our cares on Him.
people undergoing intense We are to entrust the future
persecution: “Humble to the One who cared
yourselves under the mighty enough for us to send His
hand of God, that He may Son to die for us. But that
exalt you in due time, goes against the philosophy
casting all your care upon of our day. “You don’t
Him, for He cares for you” need anyone but yourself,”
(1 Pet. 5:6-7). Two steps are we’re told. “You’ve got to
involved in this process. watch out for number one,
1.Accepting What because nobody else will.”
We Can’t Change. Have you been
Instead of fuming and dragging around a big
stewing, or avoiding reality load of worries? You know,
by denying our worry, we worries that you’re too
are to humbly accept that proud or ashamed to talk
these circumstances are about? Give them to God.
part of our life. We don’t You’ve dragged them
have the right to dictate the around long enough!
23

A BIBLICAL everything to be perfect
CASE STUDY for the Master. She felt
frustrated and helpless.
OF A WORRIER “Distracted with much
serving,” she glanced into

D
octor Luke gave the living room, hoping
us a valuable look Mary would come and help.
at how Jesus helped Enthralled by the words of
a worrier in his account of Jesus, Mary showed no
the Lord’s visit to the home signs of moving.
of Mary, Martha, and Finally, Martha
Lazarus (Lk. 10:38-42). could stand it no longer.
As He and His disciples She marched into the
traveled, they stopped living room. “Lord,” she
for a visit at Martha’s demanded, hands on
invitation. I can envision her hips, “do You not
the following scene. care that my sister has left
Caring for the needs me to serve alone?” Then
of the group was no small she gave the Lord an order:
task. While Martha was “Tell her to help me” (v.40).
busy in the kitchen with all Perhaps you are a
the preparations (cutting up Martha—or you live
the vegetables for the salad, with one. Jesus’ patient,
getting out the good china, understanding response to
preparing the main dish, Martha is a wonderful model
getting the dessert ready), for you. Note what He did.
Mary was sitting idly at First, He made her
the feet of Jesus. aware of her worry. “Martha,
Things weren’t coming Martha,” the Lord answered,
together for Martha. All “you are worried and
that work—and she wanted troubled about many things”
24

(v.41). I believe there was has chosen that good part,”
real tenderness in His voice He told Martha, “which will
as He repeated her name. not be taken away from her”
He addressed the issue with (v.42). The meal would be
Martha. He let her know she forgotten, but the words of
had a problem to be dealt Jesus would stay in Mary’s
with. There’s nothing wrong heart and bear fruit for
with being a good hostess. eternity.
There’s nothing wrong with What if Martha had
wanting things the very best. come and joined Mary?
Jesus didn’t judge Martha. They would never have
He drew her attention to eaten, right? Wrong! They
her worry. all could have helped. Or
Second, Jesus showed Jesus could have spoken a
her that worry is a choice. gourmet 7-course meal into
Martha had chosen to existence.
become filled with anxiety I believe Martha learned
over the preparations. from Jesus. He was again at
Her choice had led her to their house for dinner a year
criticize her sister, to imply or so later. The family was
that Jesus was insensitive, giving the dinner in Jesus’
and to give Him an order. honor to celebrate the
Without condemning raising of Lazarus (Jn.
Martha, Jesus pointed 12:1-11). We are told
out that Mary had made simply, “Martha served”
a choice too (v.42). (v.2). She was still the
Third, Jesus told Martha worker, but this time she
that the choice was between was not overwhelmed by
that which is earthly and the responsibility. I believe
temporary and that which is she learned to control her
heavenly and eternal. “Mary tendency to worry.
25

JOANIE’S STORY I had become
agoraphobic, which
The following story is is a dread of open spaces,
taken from an interview a fear of going out. For me,
with author Joanie Yoder, it was a fear of going into
which was recorded for the the supermarket. It was so
RBC television program intense that I would panic
Day Of Discovery. and go into a sweat. I
was afraid that I would go

M
y life was filled totally insane in front of
with anxiety and people—or even worse, die.
worry, but I was So sometimes I would
unaware of it. I was able interrupt my shopping,
to cover it up, like a lot of shove my cart into a
people do, until I had an corner, and run home. As
experience that caused me soon as I was in the house,
to hit rock bottom. It was I would have this sudden
then that I was forced to relief of being safe and
face my anxieties, my fears, secure again.
my dread, my worries. I thought I was the only
Catherine Marshall once person who felt like this.
said that the greatest My eating habits changed,
discovery we can make my sleep was erratic, I was
is to realize that our own trembly and shaky, and
strength is not enough. I I was generally anxious
experienced that discovery. about life and all its
I had nothing left of my responsibilities. I couldn’t
own inner resources. I face anything. I felt I was
didn’t seem to have the all washed up by the time
strength, physically or I was in my early thirties.
emotionally, to go on. There were underlying
26

reasons for my difficulty. breakdown, but a
As I look back now, I breakdown of my
realize that there were three self-sufficiency.
reasons for my inability to From my own
manage life. One was experience, and also
extreme immaturity. I in observing other people
was underdeveloped who are in this painful
emotionally to handle situation of running out of
responsibility. Second, their resources, one of the
I had developed a characteristics is a need to
bitterness habit. I didn’t control—the need to control
really recognize it as such, life, circumstances, people,
because I felt I was always and unwittingly, God—
justified in feeling as I did. because we feel afraid of
Mine was always a just what might happen. We
cause. And then the third feel that if we can control
reason, which I think is things and make things go
common to all of us, was a certain way, we will be
a tendency to be self- less afraid.
sufficient. I tried to do My problem was that
everything in my own I couldn’t feel in control
strength. And when I of my self-protection—
realized that I couldn’t protection from the things
do it on my own, I felt that that I was afraid of. So I
I ought to be able to. began to build a cocoon
Those three factors around myself. That cocoon
had a crumbling effect. It became as small as the
led me toward a breakdown word implies. I had a tiny
that I needed. I think it’s space in which I felt safe
a breakdown we all need. and secure—the four walls
It wasn’t a nervous of my house. In fact, I so
27

cocooned my life that it showed me four disciplines,
contained a population of which still have a profound
one—me. effect in my life: read, pray,
During this time, I was a trust, and obey. Read the
Christian. And even though Bible—something to feast
I strongly believed in God, on. Pray—Someone to
He had no scope in my life. feast with. This goes beyond
I was terribly unhappy. And the boundary of a little time
even worse, I felt that I had of prayer. It goes out into
missed the unique purpose the marketplace, out into
for which God had created our cars, out into our
me. circumstances. Trust—
I had to hit rock bottom. trusting God for the
I had to come to the end things we cannot control.
of myself before I could Releasing them, not into
discover the sufficiency thin air but to God. Obey—
of Christ and allow Him God wants us to obey Him
to change me. God began in the things we can control.
to rehabilitate me according These four disciplines
to what Paul described in are very familiar. The whole
Philippians 1:6, “That He idea of dependence on
who has begun a good God is an obvious truth
work in you [which starts scripturally but an obscure
at conversion] will complete truth experientially. We
it until the day of Jesus must actually practice
Christ.” The process doesn’t them, not just know about
take 6 easy lessons or 6 them, talk about them, or
months, but continues until believe fiercely about them.
“the day of Jesus Christ.” The blessing of being in a
Early on in my progress weakened condition and
toward wholeness, God running out of our own
28

resources is that it helps stretched me, He would
motivate us to actually do come through for me.
the things that we already God eventually led
believe. me out of the cocoon that
As I began to incorporate I had built around myself
these disciplines into my with a population of one.
daily living, I found that He did this by involving
it cultivated an intimate me in the leadership of a
relationship with Christ neighborhood Bible study.
that developed confidence I believe I was able to
in Him. He began to prove minister to the women in
His sufficiency to me at the group effectively because
small levels. And as He they realized I needed Christ
continued to come through as much as they did. So I
for me, I began to trust Him wasn’t a threat. I was an
more and more. encouragement to their
The four disciplines of growth.
reading, praying, trusting, God then led my
and obeying interacted husband and me overseas.
with one another. This One day we met a drug
interaction meant that there addict on the London
was something for me to subway, and we brought
do. But as I did, it set God him home to live with us.
free to do the things that Through him, and a few
only He could do. So I others that we brought
began to find less and less home to live with us, I
reason for worry. It became had my moment of truth.
superfluous. I began to Up until then I had felt
realize that whatever He somewhat apologetic that I
led me to undertake, even had to depend on God for
if it were something that things that many people do
29

with very little effort. But to Christ, assuming for
through my involvement discussion’s sake that they
with these drug-dependent want to be won to Christ?
people, I realized that their Would they prefer to be
cure, as well as mine, was won through strong people
not independence. The key who look like they don’t
was in being God- know what it is to be weak?
dependent. Or would they prefer to be
Through my experience won through weak people
with drug addicts, I who have discovered how
discovered that dependence to be strong?
on God was something for I believe that without
which we were created. I exception they would prefer
also learned that what had the latter. Although we may
been effective in a crisis think we are doing God’s
was effective all the time. service and impressing
So I found that I could offer people for God by coming
to a drug-dependent person across as strong people, we
a radical, shocking remedy. may be depriving them of
They had been taught to get the last hope they had that
rid of all the dependencies God might have something
in their lives. But I was able for them. This is because
to show them that the their reaction is not, “Oh,
answer was in moving from that’s for me!” Instead they
drug-dependence to God- say, “I could never be like
dependence—not replacing that.” But if they see a
drugs with God, but moving weak person who has
to the one dependence for learned to be strong and
which we were created. is still learning to take that
How do you think strength from God, they will
people prefer to be won be filled with hope. They
30

will say, “Wow! If that story is about a woman
works for her, maybe there’s who had nothing in herself
something in it for me.” but found everything she
I really identify with the needed through a life of
average person. This is not dependence on God. It’s
only a fact, it is also my not a sad state of affairs
heart’s desire. Except for to have to depend on
the truth that we’re all God—it’s God’s perfect
unique creations, I’m very design. The creature
ordinary. Without Christ I becomes his or her very
would be a dead loss. In best when depending
fact, I was introduced this on the Creator. I used to
way in a meeting once. depend on God as a last
They said, “This is Joanie, resort. Now it’s the first
who without Christ would thing I do!
be a dead loss.” At The beginning of
one time, that kind of progress in my spiritual
introduction would have life was a rock-bottom
appalled me. But God has experience. I didn’t look
brought me to the place in good. I didn’t feel good. But
my life where He’s allowed it was the most spiritual
me to be a spectacle of moment in my life. I hope
weakness so that I can this is an encouragement
go out and share with the to others who are at that
world and testify to others point. So often we think
what God can do in and that to be spiritual we must
through human weakness. always be on top. That’s
So if He can do it in and not true. To be spiritual is
through me, why not them? to come to the place where
Dependence on God is there’s nothing of us and
the theme of my life. My all of God.
31

THE GREATEST for our sin. Then came the
WORRY miracle we needed. Jesus
rose from the dead as proof

N
othing makes us that God had accepted His
feel more helpless sacrifice for us. There is
than the thought nothing we can do; it’s a
of dying. The end of life miracle of grace God has
confronts us with the issue already done.
of what lies beyond. The Second, the way to
Bible says it’s either heaven is not by works
heaven or hell. And hell but by faith. Our response
is definitely something to to the death of Christ and
worry about! God’s offer of love is to
Ask most people if believe on Jesus. We can’t
they’re going to heaven lose it once we have it.
and they’ll say, “I hope so” Salvation is a free gift of
or “Maybe, if I don’t blow grace that cares for our
it.” If they are honest, they spiritual vulnerability.
will admit that the thought Once we believe in the
of going to hell terrifies finished work of Christ on
them. the cross, we don’t have to
But God said in the worry that we’ll lose our
Bible that we can know chance at heaven when
beyond any doubt that we we sin. God has accepted
are on our way to heaven. us in Christ. He could not
And He told us why. write us off without writing
First, the requirements off His own Son, and He
for heaven have been met would never do that! Trust
for us by Christ. He lived a in Christ, and eternity
perfect life and then died on will be nothing to worry
the cross to pay the penalty about!
32

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