Alice just couldn’t concentrate on her day because worry impacted her thinking. Worry anticipates the future in an anxious and often negative way. Often we hang on to worry because we think it somehow benefits us. We might believe worry prepares us for the worst possible outcome. It doesn’t. When the outcome is bad, it is still difficul,t no matter how much you worried.

We might feel worry brings attention to important issues. It does, but negative attention causes mental, physical and spiritual problems. It is much better to give positive attention to your concerns but not allow those concerns to wander into worried waters.

And sometime we think worry helps us problem-solve, but it doesn’t. Nothing gets solved and we waste valuable time and energy giving our attention to worry. Worry gets in the way of productivity.

Worry takes us off the here and now and distracts us from the truth of who God is. It is a mental habit based on untruths and doubt. Worry falsely assumes that God has left us for a moment or is immobilized to act. When difficulty comes, and the moment feels desperate or troubled, God does not abandon us even though it may feel that way. This is important to remember, He is completely in control of each moment. Hell may be at work, but Jesus triumphed over hell through His resurrection. His quiet presence is there as He walks us through difficult times. God reaches into the evil of our world and brings good to us that can be used for His glory.

If you struggle with feeling worried, try to abandon your worry at this moment. Take a deep breath and remind yourself, God is here. He is in the moment. Say His name, Jesus. there is power in that name. Mediate on his Word. Take your thoughts captive so they don’t wander in worried waters.

Meditation:

 Psalm 8:4—What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? He cares for you and has not left you alone during times of pain.

 Matthew 11:28-30—Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Cry out to God in times of worry and ask for His peace. It is His promise.

Isaiah 26:3 to 4 — “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal”.  Trust in the Lord and don’t lean on your own understanding but let Him prove His care for you.