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The right way to overcome worry may surprise you. You’ve heard the slogan, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Indian mystic Meher Baba popularized the expression in the 1960s. Unfortunately, this advice is dangerous, as it sets us up for failure and self-judgment. It’s impossible not to worry. And if you think you can muscle your way into a permanent state of peace, you will only end up miserable and judging yourself as a failure.
The truth is that we are hard-wired to worry. For example, every morning when we awake, our circumstances naturally overwhelm us. We can no less avoid worry than avoid breathing air. I don’t mean to discourage you with this diagnosis. The opposite is true. In fact, accepting the true nature of worry is the first step in overcoming its control. How is this possible?
How Can We Overcome Worry?
The greatest therapist who ever lived revealed the answer. Not only was he a therapist, but he also happened to be the Messiah and Son of God. You may have heard of him. His name was Jesus of Nazareth. He is the one who declared that we are hard-wired to worry, just as we are hard-wired to sin. And what was his antidote to worry? He taught that daily dependence on God gives us the grace to overcome worry – for the moment. Furthermore, we must constantly renew our faith (focus our minds on God) if we want temporary relief from worry.
And how do we focus our minds on God? We declare,
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13
Our Daily Bread
Most important for combatting worry is Matthew 6:11, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Jesus instructed us to ask God for help dealing with our troubles, one day at a time (more accurately, one moment at a time). Furthermore, he assured us that God would get us through all troubles that the world throws our way – guaranteed.
Do you need proof that this is true? Go into the bathroom and take a look in the mirror. You’re still here! You’ve woken up yet another day. God has delivered you, still breathing, this far. Therefore, He will continue to get you past all obstacles. So you don’t need to worry.
The problem is that we misunderstand the nature of God’s guarantee. God is not saying that He will permanently ease our worries. On the contrary, He will help us overcome worry for today. Daily bread is a direct reference to the manna God provided to the Hebrews during their exile in the desert. Exodus 16:21 says, “Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.” God gave enough sustenance for one day, the right amount for each individual’s needs.
The same holds true for relief from worry. Each day God will help us overcome worry – if we renew our faith in Him, trust Him, and recommit our lives to Him. Each daily recommitment to God buys us another day’s supply of assurance, just enough to manage that day’s collection of troubles. God’s daily bread is loaded with sustenance – strength, focus, purpose, and love – to overcome any worries we face.
The Problem With Everlasting Peace
But why doesn’t God give us everlasting peace to overcome worry once and for all? The reason is simple. If we didn’t have trouble, we wouldn’t need God. God created us for one purpose – to be in a relationship with Him. Therefore, He will not take away the key to our good relationship.
As Christians know, praising God and putting our faith in Jesus makes us right (righteous) in God’s eye and activates the Holy Spirit within our hearts. But let’s not be fooled. Even saved Christians will fall back into worry if they don’t recommit their faith and trust in God – every day. Waking up each morning studying the word of God is not a suggestion. It is a requirement if you want to overcome worry.
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