EFFECTS OF WORRY 1. Worry can reduce our productivity. While faith motivates and empowers, worry paralyzes and immobilizes. It affects our concentration and our focus. And it turns us into procrastinators. When I have a task ahead of me, if I think too much about how little I want to do it, or how afraid I am that it wont succeed, I have a tendency to put the job off entirely. Then that task becomes a mountain before me, and it looms over me like a dark cloud. If Im wise, I go to the Lord and confess my fears, and I ask for His help to tackle the task in a timely manner. Then once I finally begin, Im able to accomplish the job with a holy ease and joy. 2. Worry can cause us to mistreat people. Being a worrier didnt make my grandmother a pleasant person to be around. It often made her touchy, fretful, and resentful - three things the Word of God says we shouldnt be. (1 Corinthians 13:5 AMP) Worry can blind us to the needs of those around us. We become so preoccupied with our own problems that we cant reach out or minister to others the way the Lord desires us to. Jesus certainly had reason to worry when He thought about the agony of the cross that lay before Him. But He still walked in love consistently, and He was always ready to comfort, encourage, and instruct others. 3. Worry can hinder our ability to trust God. Its rooted in fear, and fear and faith cannot coexist. Faith enables us to hear and receive from God. Fear gives the dark forces an inroad into our lives and circumstances. Gods plan is for us to increase our faith and renew our minds by studying, meditating upon, and applying the Word of God. (Romans 12:2; Romans 10:17) Then we will begin to see things from His perspective, and we will overcome our fears. Scripture says: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV) As we train our minds to stay fixed on the Lord, and our hearts to trust in Him, we will experience the supernatural peace and contentment that belong to us in Christ. Prayer: Lord, remind me often that Your Word says: Dont worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. (Philippians 4:6 NLT) Help me to cast all my anxieties, burdens, and cares on You daily, because You care for me. (Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7) Thank You that as I cooperate with You, I will experience the perfect peace that Your Word promises! Inspiring? Why not SHARE!!!
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 21:00:05 +0000