This post appeared first on Jacqueline Heider’s Blog, Dancing in the Rain, at jacquelineheider.com
Over the last few weeks we’ve been using Philippians 4:8 as a guide to help us learn how to train and retrain our thoughts. We’ve learned to think about ourselves through the lens of who we are in Christ. We’ve learned that we should extend grace to others we come in contact with and think that which is true, honorable, just, pure lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise about them instead of being harsh and judgmental. We are learning to “four-eight” our negative thoughts, change our attitudes and (hopefully) our actions.
Let me ask you this:
Have you noticed your thought patterns changing at all? I’d love to hear some real-life examples. Comment below and let me know!
Our topic this week …
Thoughts of Worry!
Worry … now that’s something we all know how to do, isn’t it? We worry about all sorts of things from finances to friends, to food … We worry about our jobs, our homes, our kids, our future. We can worry with the best of ’em! But listen to what the Bible says about worry just before Philippians 4:8.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
What does this verse say not to do?
It tells us not to be anxious.
What does it say to do instead?
Pray and ask, give thanks, and let your requests be known to God.
What is the result?
The peace of God will guard your heart and mind.
Pretty simple formula isn’t it? We aren’t always given formulas for things in Scripture, but in this particular instance, I’m thankful that we are. So … I want us to use this formula over the week to meditate on a few verses and learn how “not to worry!” Instead, we’ll learn to “four-eight” our worries and “think on” these powerful verses.
Did I scare you with that word “meditate?” I hope not! It’s easy, I promise. We’ve already established that we all know how to worry, right? Meditating is like worrying. Stay with me a moment and you’ll see what I mean.
When you worry what do you do?
You …
- Think about something over and over again.
- Turn it over in your mind and look at it from every angle.
- Often can’t sleep because of worry. It keeps you up at night.
- Focus on the “problem” all the time.
- Can’t get it out of your mind – it drives you crazy!
- Try to think of every possible solution to whatever your issue is.
Now let’s apply that to meditating on Scripture. I want you to take a verse each day and …
- Think about the verse over and over again.
- Turn the verse over in your mind and look at it from every angle.
- Allow it to keep you up at night – not really. I just want you to think about it as you go to sleep.
- Focus on it all the time – write it, recite it, and remember it!
- Think about it until it drives you crazy.
- Try to think of every possible solution the verse brings to that which you could be worrying about.
That’s meditating on Scripture and that’s what your homework this week. You’re going to “think on” some wonderful verses that will help you stop all of the worrying and start resting in who God is and what He says!
Below are the verses I want you to “worry on.” I’d love to hear some of your “worry stories,” so post your comments below. If you’d like to download the verses, along with a few questions to help you meditate on them and give you further insight, follow this link and click on the “homework” button near the bottom of the post.
Have a wonderful week!
