Part IV: Joy That Defeats Worry

Memory Verse:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

--Philippians 4:6-7

Sermon:

JOURNAL:

What causes you to worry? Is it money, the future,

your job, relationships, your health, or something else?

Maybe it is more than one thing.

I used to worry big-time--so much, it almost gave me an ulcer.  I worried about work, I worried about making ends meet, I worried about what people thought of me.  It sucked.  It sucked the life right out of me.

Now, I'm not saying that meeting Jesus took all of my worries away - as much as I'd like to think He did.

I now come from an understanding of why worry about something I have absolutely not control over.  I can't control the way people feel about me, I can't change the way my boss feels about me.  When I feel worry come about, I sit and pray.  That's it.  

In the past, I would call up my co-worker and vent, I would call up my momma and vent, but when I was done with those conversations, I was still so worrisome, still upset.  Now that I pray, I feel like I have someone holding me hand and telling me NOT to worry.  

I have to remember to keep my eye and my mind on Jesus at all times.  Believe me, easier said than done!

• What is the probability that what you are worrying

about is actually going to happen?

Welp, I worry about losing my job like all of the time - not gonna get into it here, God knows the story.  I do everything I'm supposed to, yet I feel like I'm "not worthy" of this job.  Other times, I go through trials of being grateful.  I guess it all depends on how I'm feeling that day, LOL

• What do you think your life would look like if you could

eliminate most of the worry?

I can tell you what it looks like right now, because I try not to worry as much, but when I find myself getting anxious, I simply stop and give it to God or ask God to guide me through things. Merely "stopping" is very effective.