How To Win
Over Worry
by Douglas Hoff
When
this country was besieged by the Great Depression, Franklin Delano Roosevelt
began his presidency with an inaugural address designed to stimulate action. The commander-in-chief wanted to mobilize the
government and the people to combat the economic problems which threatened the
country.
When
faced with seemingly insurmountable odds worry can easily grip the mind. FDR reminded the country that fear could
easily lead to defeat. He said, "So
first of all let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear
is fear itself...nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes
needed efforts to convert retreat into advance,"
Have
you ever faced some difficulty in your life and then worried about it? While
some people say they never worry, most people know the grip of worry all too
well. Worry has become a familiar part
of American life. It shows itself when
someone nervously paces the floor and bites his nails. Sometimes it is seen on the face of the woman
who could not sleep the night before because she was trying to solve a problem
she thought might come up the next day. Then
there is the driver speeding to work afraid he might be fired because he is
late again.
Worry
is wasted effort. It has been said
worrying is like being on a rocking chair-it keeps a person moving but he does
not go anywhere. Worry is poison to the
mind and body. If it is not eliminated,
the mind cannot function properly and the problem just seems to get bigger.
Worry
is also a sin. Jesus taught that we
should trust God to take care of our needs. The Lord commanded that we should not worry (Matthew
How
do we win over worry? First, develop
trust in God and his promises. He loves you and wants only what is best for
you. God knows all about your situation.
He is willing and able to help if you
obey His law. Occasionally, Jesus
rebuked his followers for having little faith. Their lack of faith was the breeding ground
for fear and worry. Remember when Peter
walked on the water? He began to sink
after he saw the waves and began to doubt (Matthew
Second,
to overcome worry, keep your priorities right. Jesus taught we should "seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness" and God will provide the necessities of life (Matthew
Third,
we need to live one day at a time to banish worries. Jesus taught, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
its own things. Sufficient for the day
is its own trouble" (Matthew
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