An Exercise for Worry

Here is an exercise that each of you needs to do. You will be glad you did!

Step 1: Take out a piece of paper and a pen

Step 2: At the top of the paper write the two words "Worry List"

Step 3: List the top 10 things in your life that you are worried about...be specific

Step 4: Go back to the top of the page and mark an "X" through the word "Worry"

Step 5: Above the "X'd" out word "Worry," write the word "Prayer"

In 5 easy steps you just turned your "Worry List" into your "Prayer List." That is exactly what Philippians 4:6 teaches - "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." To paraphrase it simply, "Worry about nothing...Pray about everything!"

Imagine what would happen if you took all the time you normally spent worrying about something and instead you spend that time praying about that same area! Imagine what would happen if you took the same amount of energy that you put into worrying, and instead you put that same amount of energy into praying about that area! According to the very next verse in Philippians 4:7, you would experience the peace of God that passes all understanding and that peace will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus!

After all, in Matthew 6:27 Jesus asked this questions about the whole issue of worry, "Which of you by worrying can add one hour to your life?" The answer is "none of you can add an hour to your life by worrying!" In other words, worry has no value whatsoever. Someone who heard me preach on this recently left this quote on a sticky note on my computer, "Worry is like a rocking chair - it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere."

Worry has no earthly value. Prayer has eternal value. So I challenge you to do the exercise above. Turn your "Worry List" into your "Prayer List."