We live in an era in which we are inundated with information on a minute-by-minute basis. Never in the history of the earth has there been such instant access to news of events occurring all over the globe. Often this “news” is negative and intentionally framed by reporters in a provocative manner to grab the attention of more viewers or readers. Repeated exposure to such media content can lead to anxiety, as it often incites fear about the future. So, is it possible to live in these times without being assailed by constant worry?
Before answering that question, let’s examine some Biblical injunctions regarding this issue of worry:
- Jesus told His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…” (Matthew 6:26 NIV)
- The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious or worried about anything…” (Philippians 4:6 Amplified Bible)
- The Apostle Peter wrote: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)
These scriptures clearly demonstrate it is NOT God’s will for His children to live a life dominated by worry and anxiety. In fact, Jesus forbid His disciples to worry about their lives. But for many people, that command seems impossible to obey due to the ever-increasing pressures of modern life.
Corrie Ten Boom, the Dutch watchmaker who saved the lives of many Jews being hunted by the Nazis during WWII, made an insightful observation about worry. She said, "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength." I would add that persistent worry can also incapacitate people, preventing them from taking steps to resolve the very situation they are so concerned about.
The truth is that WORRY IS AN ENEMY bent on destroying you! It is not helpful or “a necessary part of life” as some might counter, instead it is draining and paralyzing. It will not “help you” get things done, it will prevent you from making needed progress in your life. But practically speaking, how do you live in a pressure-filled world without allowing worry to dominate you like a wicked slave master?
The good news is that God’s Word (the Bible) not only commands us to avoid worry – it also provides biblical keys that will enable us to do so. Consider these two keys to conquering worry:
1) OFFLOAD THE BACKPACK
During the first month of our marriage, my husband, Dave, a great outdoorsman, decided to share one of his favorite activities with me – backpacking. Though my family had gone on many camping vacations throughout my childhood, we had never carried all that we needed for the experience on our backs while hiking for miles. Initially enthusiastic about this new adventure, I discovered after a few hours and several miles, that snappy looking backpack had grown oppressively heavy. To this day, I can remember the incredible relief I experienced when we finally stopped, and Dave helped me offload that backpack by a beautiful stream of gently flowing water. Carrying a load of worry is like hiking with that heavy backpack. It goes with you everywhere until you have someone help you “offload” the burden. We find crystal clear instructions on what to do with worries, cares and anxieties in Psalm 37.
Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:5 Amplified Classic Bible)
After discovering this verse many years ago – I have used it successfully to deal with worries that have assailed my mind. Whether your worries are financial, family, relationship related, health issues, legal troubles, school, job or career concerns or the future in general, this scripture instructs us to “roll…each care of your load on Him…” I made it a practice to see myself taking every care and worry and stuffing it into a backpack which I then marched into the presence of God. There I saw Jesus compassionately removing the backpack off my shoulders and I left it there with Him. I would pray, “Lord, You said to roll each care of my load on You…and I am doing so now by faith. And with your help, I am leaving it here and I will not pick it up again. I trust that You will bring to pass whatever is needed to deal with these concerns according to Your promise in Psalm 37:5.”
2) REPLACE YOUR SCREEN SAVER
When you open your computer do you find an image you did not intentionally place there? Screen savers are often images preprogrammed by the operating system and unless you open the settings on your computer and intentionally change it, that image will keep showing up on your screen when the computer is idle. You may not like being greeted each morning by a photo of a pack of wild hyenas or geometric figures dancing across the screen, yet they will keep appearing until you do something to change it.
Many people are confronted by an image of the “worst case scenario” assaulting the screen of their imagination every morning. The thing they greatly fear or worry about is continuously “popping up” in their mind’s eye as soon as they awaken. If you are going to have victory over worry you must change the “screen saver” in your mind. This scripture instructs us in what to do:
Casting down the imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…2 Corinthians 10:5 GNV
Do not believe the lie that you cannot do anything about the thoughts that “pop into your mind.” You can choose to do exactly what this scripture instructs and thereby get victory over the assault on your mind. It is a battle – but you can win it. When a fearful, worrisome or anxious thought comes to your mind trying to paint a picture of inevitable disaster, take authority over it in the name of Jesus. Speak to it – “According to 2 Corinthians 10:5, I cast down this fear-filled imagination in the name of Jesus and I refuse entrance to every thought that stands against the knowledge of God, and I bring into captivity every thought in my mind to the obedience of Christ. As promised in Isaiah 26:3, I will see myself walking in perfect peace because I trust You and I fix my thoughts upon You, Lord!”
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
(Isaiah 26:3 NLT)
You will have to repeat this process again and again because your adversary, the devil, is relentless in his attempts to defeat believers through this sin of worry. But you will win the battle if you diligently utilize these two scriptural keys. I can testify to the effectiveness of these Biblical methods in my own life and ministry. As one of my own heroes in the faith used to say, “I have passed up some tremendous opportunities to worry!” Dealing with the financial needs of the ministry for almost 25 years, I would have quit a long time ago if I had not learned to “cast all my cares upon the Lord.”
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all]
on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
1 Peter 5:7 Amplified Classic Bible