Turning Worry into Action

Don’t worry! Be happy!
We often hear or read this expression as we drive along the way, walk down the road to our office, or wait on the line at the local grocery.
Easier said than done, most of us would silently scoff back at the expression. Who is free of worries in this hustle and hurry world?
Nevertheless, even the Bible encourages us not to worry. Matthew 6: 34 says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
When Jesus said those words, He didn’t mean for us not to plan our future. The emphasis is on anxiety, not anticipation!
Planning is good. Having a plan is necessary. But trouble, distress, and headache come when we fear that our plan won’t work! Worrying is doubling the burden on a task that should take half the energy when done without being anxious.
The point is: make your plan and anticipate whatever circumstance that may take place, but leave the rest to God. Worrying won’t do any good.
Paul Borden, for example, gave some good tips on how to turn anxiety into reasonable steps:
1. Write down the things you’re worrying about. Family life, work at the office, children’s future, whatever things might occupy and/or obscure your mind.
2. Pray for the worries you’ve written down. Ask God specifically to help you face or go through those worrying circumstances.
3. Turn them into action. Try jotting down any effort you may take to solve specific, worrisome problems. This step makes things more reasonable to face and cope with.
After you’ve written down, prayed for, and planned on solving the problems that have been casting a net of anxiety over your heart and mind, trust God to guide you through – He will certainly turn all your worries into provision and solution!