Let’s face the reality of today’s environment. There is a lot that a person could worry about given the events of today. You could worry about losing your job. You could worry about trying to find a job. You could worry about your investments. You could worry about the losses of the past year. You could worry about the future direction of this country. I will admit that one stays on my mind.
Does it do us any good to worry? Dr. Jim Dennison heads up a ministry called Informed Faith. He writes a daily article called God Issues. I would strongly encourage you to subscribe. God has gifted him with amazing abilities and insight. I don’t think that I have ever met a man with his knowledge of the Bible.
Years ago, he wrote a piece on worry. It is one that I save and reread every time I get in a situation where I worry too much about what may or may not happen. He writes about how worrying over the future is pointless.
A survey regarding worry revealed these facts: 40 percent of things most people worry about never happen; 30 percent of what we worry about has already happened and cannot be changed; 22 percent of what we worry about regards problems which are beyond our control; only eight percent of what we worry about are situations over which we have any influence.
Worrying is the byproduct of anxiety. When you feel anxious about something that might happen or has happened, see the anxiety as an opportunity. It is an opportunity to watch God work in your life. When I worry, there are two verses that come to mind.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Meditate on those verses a little and it will stop you dead in your tracks. Pray about everything and let God direct your ways. Pray and thank God for what He is going to do. Why? If you are within His will for your life, it all works out. You do your part and KNOW that God will do His part. God only has your ultimate happiness in mind.
I love the version of this verse in the Message.
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7
That really hits home. Then there is the verse in the Psalms. I remember meeting my wife and falling head over heels in love. At the time, she didn’t feel the same way. Through the struggle of trying to win her heart, God just spoke to me – be still and know that I am God. To me it is a verse of power that says, “don’t worry, I have power over everything and I am in control.”
I write this for all the people that send me their questions and I hear the worry that lies within what they write. I write this for myself. I have worried about some things lately that ended up not being anything to worry about.
Live with a positive expectancy. Refuse to worry. I had a mentor of mine give me some great advice. He said anytime that you feel like worrying, say to yourself cancel, cancel. Shut down the noise in your mind by praying and giving your worries to God. Believe it or not, He knows what to do with them. There is nothing to worry about covered in God’s grace!
Tags: America, Bible, Bob Brooks, Deceptive Money, Dr. Jim Dennison, God, Informed Faith, investments, Philippians 4, Prudent Money, Psalm 46, Psalms, worry
June 18th, 2009 at 7:43 am
Thank you. I know you write these blogs and letters and have to wonder if anyone is listening or does it make any difference. It does make a difference.
Because of your advice I have not lost anything from this historic market which is such a blessing since my wife recently lost her job now and is now one of the many unemployed and time is not on our side. Her departure wasn’t pleasant and she learned who were and were not really her friends, and this most recent blog really does put things in perspective.
On a day I was really troubled and feeling down, I read this. God bless you Bob. Thank you for making a difference in my family’s life.
June 18th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Joe – First of all, I am really sorry that your wife has lost her job and the impact it is having on your family. I am sure that there is anger found in so many different aspects of this situation. I hope and pray that you and your family get through this situation quickly. I really do appreciate your very kind words. I am glad that what God allows me to write was helpful. I felt led to yesterday to share some of what has really impacted my life from Dr Dennison’s writings. Through the radio show, talking to people, and answering e-mails from listeners I see and hear alot of worry. It is easy to forget that God is still and always will be in control. It keeps everything in perspective.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:34 am
Just opened this up this morning and the article addressed an issue I had been wrestling with. Worry. Over the week-end God had been using some of the same scripture to try and lift me up about a big financial decision I was making and was at peace with and then….,had lost my peace. Confirmed for me the initial decison was accurate and my peace had been stolen. Like the above reader, thanks for sharing, both your financial knowlege and current state of affairs and your faith.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:58 am
I was really worried about a credit card intrest rate that jumped after paying one hour late online. I spoke to many people and they did not change the rate back or credit the interest back. I was listening to the radio one day and it was about putting your worries in God’s hands. Seeing no solution, I asked God for help and made a promise to accept a request to teach Sunday school should he help me. I spoke with a supervisor at the credit card company and told him my situation. He said on my next statement I could expect a $400 interest credit, late fee credit and my rate reinstated. It looks like I’ll be teaching Sunday school!
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
thanks Patricia – I am glad that it helped
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Teri – awesome testimony – thank you for sharing