Recently, my mother-in-law wasn’t feeling well as her thyroid began acting up. As she struggled physically, her anxiety got the best of her, eventually leading her to an overnight at the hospital. Although she is a woman of great faith, fear overshadowed her faith in God. This can happen at times and when it does, we shouldn’t feel guilty. It’s our human condition, but the good news is that God can turn our worries into blessings.
In an article titled “What, Me Worry? Why Worrying Does More Harm Than Good,” Dr. Jim Taylor stated, “If you can do things that produce an emotional experience diametrically opposed to worrying, namely, anything that makes you feel positive, happy, excited or relaxed, you will counter the negatively and anxiety that accompanies worrying.” His counsel reminds me of a Facebook post a friend shared, it read “When you turn your worry into worship. God will turn your battles into blessings.” What better way to counter anxiety than with prayer, giving thanks, singing uplifting songs of worship, journaling, and reading spiritual and inspirational materials.
When we partake in these activities, we fix our “thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8). When we do this, we experience respite from our worries and focus on God’s many blessings. What do you focus on when worried? Please share.
Lord, teach us to turn our worries into praises of thanksgiving; to fix our thoughts on Your goodness and not on our troubles.
