Philippians 4:6-8
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
I was around 10 years of age when one of the teachers at the summer camp I was attending shared a lesson on worry. He said we worry when we assume responsibility for things only God can control. Prayer can help stamp out worry because when you pray, you invite Him to take charge of your life.
Supplication means intense praying — ALMOST BEGGING — and I’ve certainly learned about that over many years. I’ve also learned to wrap my prayers in thanksgiving. Attitude gratitude makes a big difference when seeking God’s involvement in your life.
Recently now I have been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. Doctors say it’s incurable and when you read the pages of stages and the symptoms there are many things to worry about. Falling is the greatest concern so a walker or wheel chair is mandatory. No more driving as some sort of mental dysfunction can occur at any second rendering the loss of control. Kathee and I believe God is our Healer with Psalm 103:3 promising that as surely as He forgives our sins, He heals our diseases. The fact of the matter is that we have stood together in the face of chronic illness in Kathee’s body for more than 25 years during which it has been our job to believe and not doubt. He hasn’t healed her yet, but prayer in faith keeps worry at bay as it attempts to flood our souls again and again.
Worry is also a mental health issue and mind control is vital in maintaining healthy thinking. It is a must to discipline your mind, focusing on God’s priorities — things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good reputation. If there will be any excellence, anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Dwell on these. Look up these words, write out their definitions, then read them over and over with every opportunity. Re-assign some television time to meditating on the words. Think on them until excellent and valuable thoughts form in your mind. Capture time you usually spend worrying by reading your words some more instead.
Bottom line with worry is simply don’t do it! God’s got everything under control and He won’t make a mistake, and stressing won’t change anything but your blood pressure, stomach acid and head ache.