Worrywart

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

WHAT IF YOU SHOULD’VE worn flip-flops instead of tennis shoes? What if the Popsicle melts before you can eat it all? What if a bear breaks into your house at night? What if you can’t go swimming because crocodiles have invaded the swimming pool because the whole town flooded because someone forgets to turn off the water in his front yard? What if . . . ?

Have you ever known—or been—someone who worried about everything? That’s called being a worrywart. A worrywart is someone who finds things to worry and fret about—even when everything is fine. A worrywart imagines the possible hazards and disasters in even the smallest, most harmless things.

We all have times when we really do feel anxious or worried, but sometimes we create our own stress. Do you tend to overthink what’s happening and find reasons to worry? If so, think again.

God doesn’t want us to spend our days worrying and fretting over stuff that hasn’t happened, especially when it is unlikely to happen, like crocodiles in the swimming pool. And yes, there will be times when our worries are important and real. But in those times, God tells us not to worry but to cast our worries on him instead. He promises he’ll take care of us. Worrying won’t change anything, and it doesn’t give us power over a situation—but prayer does. We can tell God what we’re thinking about and he’ll help—guaranteed.

DO

On a separate piece of paper, draw an image that represents a worry you have. Then cover the image with your hand and imagine God covering your worry. Ask God to take the worry from you.

PRAY

Dear God,

Thank you for taking my worries and for having a good plan for my life. Please remind me that instead of worrying about something, I can talk to you about it. Amen.

READ

Matthew 6:25-34; 1 Peter 5:7