“We know that God works to help those people who love him. He uses everything that happens to them to bring something good. He does this for those people that he has chosen to serve him.” Romans 8:28 (EASY)
PREFERENCE:
Today, We will look at some practical steps you can take to live in victory over worry. It is possible to live life so that worry does not destabilize you because you are assured that there is more to whatever bothers you than you can see per time. You may be disappointed in a situation, but God may be working a new opportunity for you; yes, God takes rejection and births direction from it. He uses everything that happens to us to bring out something good.
With such an assurance from our key verse, never let worry get the better of you; no matter how bad a situation may seem, God is working to help you and bring something good out of it. To declare war on worry and live worry-free, take the following practical steps:
a. Distinguish between burdensome worry and genuine concerns: The famous ‘serenity prayer’ says, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” There are situations beyond your control; learn to live those to God. Whatever you can change, work out a system or plan to change them. Don’t let things you can’t change weigh you; give them to God.
b. Learn to unburden: My wife is the closest person to me; I rarely hide things from her. Before a matter weighs me down, I tell it to her, and almost like clockwork, she has a comforting or reassuring word for me. Learn to share your burdens or concerns with someone you trust (a spouse, friend, or counselor). It is commonly said that a problem shared is already half-solved. Jesus shared his burden with His disciples: “My soul is sorrowful unto death…pray with Me.”
c. Refuse to imagine the worst: This is so important. When we are hit with a bad situation, our mind paints a picture of a thousand scenarios of failure and how it will turn out horribly and end in embarrassment. No! Change the images in your mind and replace them with pictures of the best outcomes. It is because God says that even in the worst of situations, He will work good out for you. He will bring sweetness out of a bitter experience, turn ashes into beauty, and give you something to eat from what came to eat you.
We will continue tomorrow.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Micah 7:8, Galatians 6:2, Proverbs 27:9, Psalm 42:3-5
PRAYER:
+ “God grant me the calmness of mind to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”
+ I cast down images of failure, a worse future, or disappointments that I have allowed to stay on my mind. I replace them with images of success, good health, a better tomorrow, and joy.
