Think about something else

I have to say worrying is very easy to do. It is not something we learn, but it just comes naturally to us. I have written about worry on one of my previous post before, but here are more thoughts on the subject.

In Philippians 4, Paul gives the believers in Philippi practical ways to deal with life. Let’s take a look.

“ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7; NLT)

Pray about everything, tell God all of your needs, and be thankful.

Very important in combating worry.

Worry takes over your mind, and sometimes it is all you can think about. If you keep reading in Philippians, Paul tells us what to do with those thoughts.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8; NLT).

What a list! All of these words have meaning that can fill you with joy.

True: something that is real or genuine.

Honorable: noble or upright.

Right: morally good, accurate, or not wrong.

Pure: not blemished or clean.

Lovely: kind, pleasant, or proper.

Admirable: honest or has integrity.

God’s Word is full of passages that demonstrate each of these words. We can read and study them, but it is so important to memorize them. Sometimes your phone may not have enough charge for you to open your Bible app. If you had a passage or verse on your heart that you can roll around in your head, it would take your mind off your worries.

Yes, memorizing is hard. I struggle with it. If you commit to studying with the help of the Lord, it can be done.

This is my challenge to you. As you are studying God’s Word, take that verse or passage that speaks to you the most and purpose to commit it to memory.

Write it down on a piece of paper and tape it to your mirror in the bathroom or above the kitchen sink. Take it and put it in your pocket and study it while you are waiting in the grocery store line. The more of God’s Word we internalize, the more we can combat the many situations in our life like worry.