We all worry. Daily life seems to take over and flood our minds, and the “What If” thoughts come in and take over. I, like you, have asked how to stop worry from taking over my mind (I even wrote a book about it). Today, here are some practical steps on how to stop worry head-on.
The What If Game
It’s all too easy to play the “What if” game in life. What if I can’t make ends meet? What if my health fails me? What if my loved ones face challenges? Such worries can consume us, leaving us overwhelmed and anxious. Even Abraham, in Genesis 12, played the what-if game. He felt uncertain about his safety among the Egyptians and struggled to trust God. But just like Abraham, we can put our faith in the promises God has made to us and trust Him to meet our needs in the present moment. When we do this, we can let go of our worries and find peace.
How do we stop playing the what-if game? How do we stop the worry and start trusting God?
There are practical ways to stop worry. First, start by listing all the what-if’s you have running around in your head. Then, take the time to confess these to God. Philippians 4:4-6 instructs us, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
A Few Things To Notice
- It can be difficult at times, but it is important to remember the times when God has come through for you in the past. He will continue to do so if you trust Him and believe in His word. The Bible is a literal instruction manual that was left for us, and we must read it as such. We do not rejoice in bad news, such as a negative doctor’s report, but we can rejoice in the fact that God is our loving Father who will lead and comfort us. We must trust Him, even when it’s scary. I know this because I too received a bad report from the doctor over eleven years ago, in fact I have heard the doctor say cancer to me three times in the past eleven years, however, I trusted that God would not leave me. We are instructed in the Bible to rejoice in the Lord, not in the report given by the doctor.
- Remember the Lord is near to you! Certain verses in the Bible remind us that the Lord is always near us, and we can take comfort in that fact. That is how I faced the word cancer, I knew the Lord was near to me and His Name was higher than the word spoken to me by the doctor! God is near you, He longs to be near you. 1 Corinthians 16:23
- In every situation, we are called upon to trust in God, rejoice, and avoid being anxious. And when I say every, I mean EVERY situation. No matter what happens, we should follow the guidelines given in these verses: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-9
- We should always remember that we have the right to ask God for anything we need through Prayer and Petitions. Petitions are our requests or concerns that we make to God, while Prayer is communication we have with Him. So, it’s important to let God know about our requests and even our feelings. Writing them down can be helpful, but it’s not mandatory. Once we have our requests, we should spend time talking to God about them. We can express our concerns or feelings, and God won’t be angry with us. Just like we wouldn’t be upset with a child who tells us about their problems, God won’t be mad either. After expressing our thoughts and feelings, we should pray and ask God to take our problems and give them to Him completely. We should trust that He will take care of them and not take them back from Him.
- Thanksgiving is a must. Thank God in advance; knowing that what you are asking Him for is already completed. Even though you do not see it different in the natural know He is working on it and He is taking care of it. Know just like the last time He came through for you, He will do it again! He will move Heaven and Earth for you; His child. Trust and be thankful for all He is doing just for you. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. ‘” Jeremiah 29:11
One Final Note
When we do as instructed in Philippians 4:4-6, verse 7 tells us what will happen-
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God will flood us with His peace, a peace we do not even understand or comprehend. And when we do what is instructed in verses 4-6 He promises His peace will guard our hearts and our minds in Jesus! Jesus is standing guard over our hearts and minds through the amazing peace of God.
Look at the Living Bible translation of verse 7, I love this: “If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”
In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, find solace in Jesus’ protective embrace of peace. Let your heart and mind be still, and trust in the unwavering safety that only He can provide.
Discover effective ways to control your thoughts and achieve victory in my book “Help I’m Alone With My Mind; A Guide To Having Victory Over Your Thoughts”