Do you find yourself worrying today? Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”
It is an awful feeling to be weighed down with thoughts that just seem to go in circles. You may have heard the quote, “Worry is like a good rocking chair. It gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere.”
God knew we would fall into that worry trap, and that’s why He spoke about the worries of this world – to help us deal with those weighty worries. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us to look around at how well He takes care of the birds and flowers, and especially us. He loves us, knows our needs, and will provide.
God has so many names and attributes; that using the alphabet as a prompt, we can change our thoughts from anxiety to worship of Him. While we are worshiping Him, He will remove the weight and set our hearts at ease.
Philippians 4:6-7 says,
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
That’s a promise of peace we can stand on! Memorize it and obey God; you will feel so much lighter without that weight of worry.
To illustrate: just today while I was trying to solve a difficult problem, and had taken all the steps I knew to take; I stopped praying and started writing this devotion. I was amazed that when I was finished writing, a box popped up saying I had an email. When I opened it, my problem had been solved. While I was focusing on God and His word, He was providing an answer to my ‘worry.’
Praising God through the alphabet is great for time alone or in group prayer. But how do we train our brain to have a default, to filter thoughts that pop into our minds during daily life? God is way ahead of us in giving direction for our thought life.
Look at verse 8:
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is
any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Father, thank You for giving us Your remedy for our worry and anxiety. Help us to take the way of escape that You offer. Help us to focus on You and the positive way that You want us to look at other people and situations. Show us how we can be an encouragement to someone else today, too. Thank you, Lord, amen.