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I’m a person who used to sleep with my pillow under my stomach to comfort my bleeding ulcer instead of sleeping with the pillow under my head. Finally I acknowledged that worry is a terrible sin… and a terrible habit. As I read my Bible and grew as a Christian, I couldn’t help but notice there are so many commands in the Bible telling God’s followers not to worry!
I grabbed onto these two and began to pull them out when I felt my stomach burning or caught myself wondering and worrying. Jesus commanded: “Do not worry about your life” (Matthew 6:25). And Paul commanded: “Be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6).
Worrying is a bad habit. A habit is anything you do on a regular basis. Habits can be good ones…or bad ones. Reading your Bible and praying are good habits that you want to be a part of your life. But any habit, whether it’s an action or attitude or thought process that tempts you to turn your heart away from God and onto yourself is a bad one and must be changed and dealt with dramatically and drastically.
Worry is definitely one of the actions that takes your eyes off God. Worry says that “this” (whatever “this” is that you’re worrying about) is something that can’t be handled by God, with God, or by His grace. This attitude is the exact opposite of trusting God. You might as well be wearing a T-shirt or pin that says, “I don’t trust God.”
The goal of spiritual growth is to exchange the bad habit of worrying with the excellent habit of trusting God. Whatever your situation, do your part. Do all you can. But most of all, be sure you turn your concern over to God!
RESPOND
Dear God, I so easily focus on the bad and then I worry. Please guide me in redeeming my negative thoughts by using them as reminders to pray. I want to fully trust You in all things. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES
A Woman After God’s Own Heart – With over 1 million copies sold, this wonderful resource shows you how to embrace God’s plans for you. And find real purpose in a life of prayer, a life of priorities, a life as A Woman After God’s Own Heart.
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REFLECT
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” (Proverbs 3:5)
When trouble crosses my path, what is my first reaction: do I worry or do I pray?
REMEMBER
The goal of spiritual growth is to exchange the bad habit of worrying with the excellent habit of trusting God.
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Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
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