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WHAT ARE WE TO DO WHEN OUR MINDS ARE FILLED WITH WORRY

Friday night, Joe and I had a sleepover. A couple of our best friends came to visit us, and we all went out to eat a fabulous dinner. Later that night, we stayed up laughing and talking, and it was after midnight before we finally went to bed. Joe and I are usually in bed by 10 pm, which was really late for us. One of the topics we got to talking about was money.

We started talking about retirement, IRAs, and investments. Our friends are much younger than Joe and I, and they started talking about some of the things they were doing now to prepare for eventually retiring. Joe and I told them that since we were closer to retirement than them, we weren’t comfortable with some of the aggressive measures they were taking. If things turned out badly, we wouldn’t have as much time to recover any lost funds.

The conversation eventually turned to fear, and I was reminded of this Bible verse.

Matthew 6:26

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

This verse is about worry for the future, which is exactly what retirement is. We are fearful that the money we have put away won’t be able to sustain us. I don’t think the concept of retirement was around in Biblical times. People probably worked until they weren’t physically able or passed away. The only people I know who were to retire were the Levites.

Numbers 8:24-25

24 “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years old or more shall come to take part in the work at the tent of meeting, 25 but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer.

So, what are we to do when our minds are filled with worry, fear, and anxiousness? I feel better when I am proactive. I want to ensure that I have done everything in my power to address the situation, but I don’t want to rely only on my abilities. There are several Bible verses that I go to that help to calm my frayed nerves when situations are out of my control, and I thought they might help you if you are going through a season of worry.

Deuteronomy 31:8

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:19

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Psalm 94:19

19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

This verse is my favorite. I have a small sign hanging in my kitchen window to remind me not to worry.

Matthew 6:34

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Anyone who has lived on a budget knows how scary it can be when unexpected bills pop up. We will never be able to control those unexpected bills or the rising cost of food, gas, and other essentials we need daily. Your worries might be about a health scare, relationship issues, kids, or job security. Life is full of little surprises that bring us to our knees and strikes fear into our hearts. But worrying won’t fix anything; the only thing that worrying will do is make us miserable. Instead, praise the Lord and give thanks for all our blessings. We have a good, good God who watches over us just like He does the birds of the sky.

If you suffer from anxious thoughts, print these verses off and put them somewhere you will see them daily. Read them, memorize them, and believe them!

To God Goes The Glory!

Have A Blessed Day!

 

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32 Comments

  1. Matthew 6:34 is my favorite. It’s hard not to worry, but this reminds me to live in the moment and enjoy today!

  2. My favorite verse this past year has been Joshua 1:9. I’ve even copied onto my phone’s Lock Screen as a reminder the Lord will be with me wherever I go!

  3. Matthew 6:26 is quoted on a bird print I have beside my bathroom mirror. We need to be reminded daily of God’s provision for us and to trust Him. Beautiful post today!

  4. Thank you so much for these verses. I am a worry wart especially about the little things that I feel I don’t need to worry God with.

  5. Thank you for reminding us to seek God’s word when we are feeling worried or anxious. 1 Peter 5:7 is my go to verse

  6. This was a wonderful post. The verse you said was your favorite was one I heard many times from my mother. I miss her so much, but her witness of trusting in the Lord are always with me.

  7. Tanya, Thank you so much for this post! You hit the nail on the head with this one. I’m in retirement & have all the worries you addressed; however I try to be thankful everyday for all of my blessings. Have a blessed Sunday!

  8. What great timing … this post came at the exact time I needed it! I have re-read the verses many time! 🙏

  9. This post couldn’t have come at a better time. Sometimes we all need gentle reminders to give our worries over to God. Thank you!