I have heard it said that some people don’t just worry occasionally, they worry recreationally. Is this you? Do you find yourself worrying… a lot? With financial struggles, culture, politics, relationship issues, and the unknown future it is easy to let worry consume our thoughts. The only problem with worry is that it is a destructive force. There is nothing faith-filled that comes from worrying. In fact, Jesus said this about worry…

Matthew 6:25-34

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Jesus said, DON’T WORRY! There is nothing good that comes from worry. The word worry comes from the Old High German word, wurgen, meaning “to strangle, constrict, choke.” Worry literally fights off faith. It strangles hope and constricts our destiny. So how do we fight off worry?

1. Truly Trust God

Trusting God is more than saying it, it is TRULY believing it. Worry sets in when faith is fading. We only worry when our faith starts to falter. Trusting God means we have to keep our faith strong in His promise. Not wavering in uncertainty or doubt.

James 1:6

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

2. Pray With Faith

Worry sets in when we aren’t praying. Or maybe our prayers have become defensive rather than offensive. Remember to pray in FAITH, that means to pray with boldness and power. Speak life over your situations. Pray with expectancy and fervency. When your prayer life is non existent worry will be present. However, when we are praying in faith it keeps us focused and standing strong. Don’t skimp on your prayer life, make sure you keep it alive and life giving.

3. Don’t Get Around Worry Warts

If you are a recovering alcoholic you wouldn’t hang around current alcoholics lest you succumb to their temptations. In the same way, don’t hang out with worry warts who can bring you down. Don’t isolate yourself from others, but INSULATE yourself from certain ones, especially if they are bringing you down. Get around life-giving, faith-filled, joyful people who see potential and possibilities. Don’t air your problems out to people who are going to add to them. Worriers love to talk about their worries and they love to make other people worried with their fears. Make sure you have people who can lift you up and not pull you down.