worry | Thoughts About God

You Don’t Have to Worry

Devotionals — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 07:03:47 +0000

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything” Philippians 4:6.

God offers you and me the possibility of a worry-free life. Jesus said,

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life! Of course not” (Matthew 6:27).

Worry is irrelevant. You don’t add one day to your life or one bit of life to your day by worrying.

Worry is also irreverent; it’s distrusting God…an “unconscious blasphemy.” The Apostle Paul urges us to “be anxious for nothing.” How? Our part includes prayer and gratitude. Instead of looking forward in fear, look upward in faith and backward in appreciation of past victories. God’s part is peace and protection. God enjoys perfect peace because he enjoys perfect power. And he offers his peace to you to guard your heart. Do your part and God will do his.

By Max Lucado
From: Come Thirsty
Used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about-max/

Worry about Your Life

Devotionals — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:06:56 +0000

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” — Matthew 6:25

Thought

God gives beauty to the flowers and life to grass. In the grand scheme of things, these are transitory and insignificant. He sent his Son from Heaven to save us. So, he most definitely is going to give us what we need until we go home to live with him!

Prayer

Loving Father and Almighty God, forgive my distraction over temporal things. I do believe that you have given me everything I need in Jesus and in the gracious abundance of your blessings. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

From: https://www.verseoftheday.com

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FURTHER READING

Fast Of Words: A Different Kind of Fast

Praying the 23rd Psalm for Yourself and Others

The Supernatural Power of Praise

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Pray About Everything

Thoughts_About_God — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:03:12 +0000

“Call to me in times of trouble. I will save you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:15 (NCV)

Want to worry less? Then pray more. Rather than look forward in fear, look upward in faith. This command surprises no one. Regarding prayer, the Bible never blushes. Jesus taught people that

“it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit” (Luke 18:1 MSG).

Paul told believers,

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart” (Colossians 4:2 NLT).

James declared,

“Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it” (James 5:13 NLT).

Rather than worry about anything, “pray about everything.” Everything? Diaper changes and dates? Business meetings and broken bathtubs? Procrastinations and prognostications? Pray about everything!

By Max Lucado
From: Come Thirsty
Used by Permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

Further Reading

How to Pray Articles

Sample Prayers – List

What Should Be Included in Prayer?

How did Jesus Pray?

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From Worry to Anticipation

Devotionals — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 08:06:13 +0000

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (TLB)

After a recent trip my wife told me that she worried more when I was away because when I’m home she knows I do all the worrying for both of us.

I’m the king of worry. Over the years I’ve learned that worry is an indicator of how I’m responding to my circumstances and my desire for some level of control.

Now when I begin to worry, I see it as a call to go to God. First, I confess my self-reliance. Slowly, I turn my focus from the circumstance to God. With effort I release my grip on the circumstances and express my concerns, fears or feelings of helplessness to God. As I begin to thank Him for His presence, His love and His plan in the mist of my anxiety something changes. It’s like stepping out of a stuffy room into fresh air, my worry is replaced by a new sense of assurance. I start to look with anticipation for what God will do. It is as if I come with an armload of worry, and through prayer, exchange it for confidence in God’s love, wisdom and power to handle every circumstance. Then I begin to anticipate how God’s hand will be at work in the situation.

When we exchange worry for faith, this transaction is an act of worship. We choose to submit to God’s rule and reign in the circumstance. We honor His role our life and express faith through thankfulness. This act of worship will move you from worry to anticipation!

God use my moments of worry to remind me of my need for you. Compel me to move quickly to you in confession and worship. Amen.

By Mike Woodard
Used by Permission

If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you can learn how to start one at this link:
https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws

Rain and Ravens

Devotionals — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 08:06:21 +0000

“Don’t be anxious about your life, what you eat, or drink or wear.” Matthew 6:25

In the book of 1 Kings, God tells Elijah, his faithful prophet, that there will be a huge drought. Then He commands him to go live by a brook—not a deep river like the Jordan or a giant lake like Galilee, but a puny stream surely to dry up without rain. It was like saying, “I am going to bring about a great calamity and I want you to sit in the middle of it.”

Yet Elijah trusted and obeyed.

When I became a widow, I felt like I was stuck living by a drying-up brook. My husband had been the primary breadwinner and I was a self-employed freelance writer. In tough economic times, he left me with very little as far as a nest egg. Each month, as the house sat on the market, I watched the brook—my checking account—become drier and drier. But, I took Matthew 6:25 to heart. “Don’t be anxious about your life, what you eat, or drink or wear.”

God sent Elijah ravens to feed him bread every day until the rains came. He provided daily manna to the Hebrews in the wilderness. I can honestly say God has provided my daily bread since my husband left this earth in 2010. It would take a novel larger that Moby Dick to relay all the creative ways He’s sent another raven just when I needed it. At last, the soft rain is falling, my financial brook is rising, and my faith has never been so strong.

Dearest Lord, You are our provider. All comes from You and through You. Thank You for caring enough about me to give me my daily needs—and occasionally my wants, too. Most of all, thank You for Your Son who gave all for me. Amen.

Take Action: Write down three to five things you “need” (not want) right now. Be bold enough to pray for God to meet your needs. Fold the paper and tape it to the back of the calendar page for December. At the end of this year, see how many needs God has provided, replaced with something better, or proven it was not what you needed after all.

By Julie Cosgrove
used by permission

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Bring Your Anxieties to God

Devotionals — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 07:06:10 +0000

Read: 2 Kings 19:8-20

What do people do with feelings of anxiety? Aside from those who are medically diagnosed with anxiety disorders, fearful people tend to ruminate over potential scenarios and outcomes. They might rehearse the possibilities in their mind and take worries to bed, which keeps them tossing and turning all night. Or maybe they try to numb themselves with distractions or medication.

King Hezekiah had a legitimate reason to be anxious after receiving threats from the Assyrians, who had already conquered much of the region around Judah. But in the middle of that situation, he prayed. The king requested deliverance because he trusted in Judah’s covenant relationship with the Lord, who was sovereign over heaven and earth. Hezekiah also knew the Almighty’s desire to be known by all nations as the one true God.

God wants us to bring Him our worries just as the king did—then He can calm our anxious burdens with His peace, which surpasses all comprehension (Philippians 4:6-7). And today we have advantages that weren’t available to Hezekiah. Instead of waiting for a prophet to deliver a message from the Lord, we have the completed Scriptures, which are God’s revelation of Himself, His works, and His ways. Through His Word, we learn to know and understand the Lord and His plans so we can pray more confidently.

As we spend time in the Scriptures, we increasingly see from God’s perspective. Then our prayers will be focused on what He wills rather than on what we want. Through this kind of prayer, our spiritual needs are met, and we can set aside anxiety to live in complete trust in the Lord.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by Permission

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

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Living One Day at a Time

Devotionals — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 07:03:34 +0000

I read in a Men’s Devotional as to how we might react if our bank credits $86,400 to our account every day; the catch being that the money has to be used up the same day. If not, it’s taken away. The process is then renewed the next day and every other day with $86,400 being credited to our account daily. I’m sure most people would have no hesitation in using the money every day! Similarly, God blesses us with 86,400 seconds credited every day! Let us therefore use that time wisely and place each day in His hands.

The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 6:34

“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”.

Yes, each day has troubles of its own, but in Psalm 68:19,

God is revealed as the Lord “Who daily bears our burdens” and Jesus, in the Lord’s Prayer, taught us to pray “Give us TODAY our DAILY bread” (Matthew 6:11).

What troubles are you facing today? What are you worrying about? A quick read through of Matthew 6:25-34, where Jesus speaks against worry, will act as a powerful faith booster and a stress-buster! A quote I read says, “Do not let the worries of tomorrow, affect your relationship with God today”.

Let’s place each day in God’s hands!

A highly successful country songwriter by the name of Marijohn Wilkin drifted away from her faith after finding success. At a time of crisis and personal desperation, as the story goes, she stopped at a church for some counseling and prayer. The young Minister who was on duty had apparently asked her during the conversation, whether she had ever considered being thankful to God for her problems. As she went home and pondered over that statement, she began to play her piano and the words of a song came to her. Needing some help to complete the lyrics that she had written down, she approached Kris Kristofferson (of Why Me Lord fame) who helped her with some of the remaining words. The completed song goes like this.

I’m only human, I’m just a woman
Help me believe in what I could be, and all that I am
Show me the stairway, I have to climb
Lord for my sake, teach me to take, one day at a time.
One day at a time sweet Jesus, that’s all I’m asking from you
(Stories Behind 50 Southern Gospel Favorites)

Let’s learn to live “one day at a time”, completely trusting our Lord Jesus Christ!

Prayer – Lord, help me to spend quality time in Your presence today and to trust you in every challenge. Help me also to spend quality time with my spouse and children. May I make at least one person happy today and not put off giving a compliment or a helping hand to someone. Help me also to pray for lost souls daily. Thank you, Jesus. Amen!

By Palitha Jayasooriya
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Living Beyond the Darkness

Don’t Get Lost in Your Troubles

Troubles

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What Do You Do With Worry?

Thoughts_About_God — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 08:05:32 +0000

I was talking with a young woman about worry. She said, “Sometimes you just can’t help it”. And we would tend to agree. Sometimes things seem big. Sometimes things are big! Yet God tells us to worry about nothing! It seems impossible to us.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything: tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.” Philippians 4:6 (Living Bible).

This same verse that tells us not to worry actually tells us how to accomplish it.

God actually gives us the formula against worry. There are three steps:

Pray about everything

Nothing is too big or too small for God to handle.

If it concerns you, it concerns Him.

Tell God your needs – take the time to talk things over with God. Don’t just plead for help, tell Him what you need. Ask for His guidance and His supply.

Don’t forget to thank Him for His answers

Start thanking in advance. Exercise your faith. Offer praise as a sacrifice to a faithful God, believing He will be faithful beyond the fog and the worry you now feel.

And then there’s the promise! The amazing thing God does… because He loves you!

“If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 7 (Living Bible)

Try it today. Take what is worrying you and talk to God about it. Begin to thank Him for His faithfulness and the help, insight and guidance He will bring to you. And experience Him quieting your thoughts and your heart and bringing you His peace. It’s amazing and it’s unexplainable. Experience it today!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your Word that tells me how to deal with the worries that crowd in upon my heart and mind today. Father, I just want to tell You about them right now…I ask for Your help and Your guidance in each concern. Thank you that You are a faithful God and that You see beyond the fog that clouds my view right now. Thank you that You are able to do what I can’t even imagine right now. I declare my trust in You and I ask You to fill me with Your peace. Quiet my heart and mind today. Help me to see each worry that creeps in as a call to prayer. I praise You that You are my strength and my help, my God in whom I trust! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Victory over Worry

Worry is Optional – by Max Lucado

Why Worry Yourself Sick?

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Worry Beads

Thoughts_About_God — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 08:01:19 +0000

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33

A nervous passenger fingered a small set of smooth beads. They were called komboloi or worry beads. The word means “group of knots.” Possibly from the knotted prayer strands used by Greek Orthodox monks.

Gail was seated across the aisle as their plane left the runway.
She was worried, too. But not about the flight. She was being laid off work. Would she soon have enough money for food, rent and clothes?

Gail opened her Bible and began reading Mathew chapter six. God was clearly communicating not to worry. Gail read, “Your heavenly Father already knows…” And later, she saw God provide just what she needed, when she needed it.

Friend, God knows exactly what you’re going through. Pray and seek His wisdom. He loves you and has a plan for your life.

by Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

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Fretting is Futile

Devotionals — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 09:01:49 +0000

“You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.” Matthew 6:27

No one has to remind you of the high cost of anxiety. (But I will anyway).

Worry divides the mind. The biblical word for worry (merimnao) is a compound of two Greek words, merizo (“to divide”) and nous (“the mind”). Anxiety splits our energy between today’s priorities and tomorrow’s problems. Part of our mind is on the now; the rest is on the not yet. The result is half-minded living.

That’s not the only result. Worrying is not a disease, but it causes diseases. It has been
connected to high blood pressure, heart trouble, blindness, migraine headaches, thyroid
malfunctions, and a host of stomach disorders.

Anxiety is an expensive habit. Of course, it might be worth the cost if it worked. But
it doesn’t. Our frets are futile. Worry has never brightened a day, solved a problem,
or cured a disease.

“Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5&6

By Max Lucado
Used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

Do Not Fret

Devotionals — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 08:01:37 +0000

“Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrong doers, for they will soon wither like grass.” Psalm 37:1

Psalm 37 is filled with good advice and key words to live by. It begins by telling us not to fret, worry or be anxious about the wicked or be envious of wrong doers. The key word is SATISFACTION.

It tells us to TAKE DELIGHT in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our heart. We are admonished to COMMIT our ways to Jesus and TRUST in Him and assures us He will act.

The psalmist then gives us one of the hardest ones telling us to BE STILL before the Lord and WAIT patiently for Him, not fretting about others who prosper or carry out evil.

We are reminded that fretting leads to evil and assures us that the wicked will be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord will inherit the land. The Lord laughs at the wicked and sees that their day is coming and they will perish.

We are assured that our steps are made firm by the Lord, when He delights in our way. Even though we stumble, and we all will do from time to time, we will not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand. We should depart from evil and do good.

This wonderful psalm ends on a high note assuring us that the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord, who is our refuge in our time of trouble. He helps us and rescues us. He saves us when we take refuge in Him.

The summation of the psalm is that we are to be satisfied, take delight, commit, trust, be still and wait. Knowing that the shield of the Lord is our defense against the evil of the world.

We are saved by a righteous God, in whom we can take refuge and always trust.

By John Grant
Used by Permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

What is Following You?

Thoughts_About_God — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 09:03:37 +0000

In Psalm 23 He invites us to pitch our tent and camp on the fact that He is our Good Shepherd.

What eats at the heels of your life as you walk?

Worry? Stress? Fear? God promises Goodness and Mercy will follow you as you follow Him.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6

Stop for a moment and try to identify what it is that is on your heels as you go through your day. Do you feel pressured by time? Does thankfulness leave it’s trail behind you as you go? Or Is fear of tomorrow or regret of yesterday chasing after you?

God knows we tend to live with things at our heels. In Psalm 23 He invites us to pitch our tent and camp on the fact that He is our Good Shepherd. When we choose daily to follow Him He leads us in quiet places and gives rest and strength to our souls. Oh, the stuff of life may clamor and swirl yet He offers peace as we focus on Him.

He knows the valleys and the shadows that will “dog” us as we walk yet He calls us to walk calmly, confidently and fearlessly with Him. HE will nurture us even when we walk in unfriendly territory.

Your cup can run over today with joy and thankfulness, no matter what else is happening. It’s possible because the Good Shepherd leads you and He will make sure goodness and mercy follow you as you follow Him.

Thank you Lord that You are my Good Shepherd. May my focus today be on You first and the peace and confidence and fearlessness that You help me to walk in. Thank you for Your promise that goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. Give me an undivided heart to follow hard after You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

I suggest you print off Psalm 23 and carefully read through it every day this week in both the morning and the evening. It will impact your life!

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission