Worry
Worry is the interest paid on trouble before it is due.” William Dwight Inge
Worry is disobedience to the word of God, Philippians 4:6.
Worry is defined as “a mental distress or agitation resulting from concern, usually for something impending or anticipated.” Some people are worried that McCain is going to win the presidency, others are worried that Obama will win. Many people are worried about the economic future.
Worry as a stressor is a direct source of headaches, insomnia, ulcers and other gastric distress, paranoia, generalized anxiety disorders, depression and phobias. Most stress experts believe that it is an indirect source of disorders involving the immune system, such as cancer. We can literally worry ourselves to death. For example when worry leads to depression and the depression becomes deep and unrelieved, our immune systems break down to the point where even a cold virus could become a killer.
We can choose not to worry, but to do so consistently requires the reprogramming of our mind. Maybe that’s one of the reasons Romans 12:2 says, “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Worry is a form of fear, and all fear, except reverential fear of God is soundly denounced in the Bible. Consider the following steps for reprogramming your mind to overcome worry:
1. Know what the Bible says (this requires that you study it.) You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (even from worry.)
2. Confess what the Bible declares. Words have creative power, and what you say is powerful. Say what God says!
3. Resolve to be fully persuaded concerning every promise of God. If any one of God’s promises is not true, then none of them could be trusted.
4. Thank God for who He is and for what He has done. Count your many blessings!
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