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Think of this as an email God has sent you; here it is:
“This is God. Today I will be handling all of your problems for you. I do not need your help. So, have a nice day. I love you. P.S. And remember, if life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in my time. All situations will be resolved, but in my time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.”
We’ve been looking at some of the truth in this imaginary email from God, and at the end it says, “Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it.” Is God saying: “Don’t worry; be happy”?
Well, how are we supposed to be happy when we’re in the midst of trouble and heartache? And how in the world do we keep from worrying about it? Sometimes I think we actually feel guilty if we are not—at least—worrying about that difficult situation or relationship.
Jesus said, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27). Worrying is a totally useless, time-consuming, energy-draining activity. It never does any good. So, it is totally foolish for you to worry. And the way you stop worrying is to drive out those worrying thoughts with thankful thoughts—focusing on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now—as this message from God reminds you.
Recently I discovered a journal left by my Mom, who died some years ago. And back in 1991 she wrote: “Today I choose to accept my husband as he is. By an act of my will—not emotions—I choose to stop talking about his being too determined, even to stop thinking about it. . . I choose to think upon how good and sweet he is to me.”
That is replacing wrong thoughts with right ones, and that’s how you stop worrying. So, don’t forget God’s message to you today, to stop worrying and focus on his goodness to you.
If you would like to read the entire week’s message, click here to download a pdf.