Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Replacing Worry
Have you ever tried to stop a bad habit? Maybe it was a serious habit like an addiction, like smoking, drugs or excessive drinking. Perhaps it was a simple habit. I have! When I was a child, I bit my fingernails constantly. I couldn’t seem to stop chomping on them.
Can’t seem to quit
I tried over and over again to quit, to no avail. However, one day, I received the proper motivation. My mother, who had always been VERY against ear-piercing, made a deal with me. If I would quit chewing my fingernails, I could get my ears pierced.
As a girl of about 12 years old, this felt like the greatest thing anyone could ever offer. I wanted pierced ears so badly. I was willing to do anything.
It was time to figure out how to quit for good.
Here is what I learned about breaking bad habits. It is hardly ever enough to decide you are going to quit something. Thinking, “I’m not going to bite my nails. I’m not going to bite my nails. I’m not going to bite my nails.” repeatedly only made me bite them more.
What works
I had to find a method of quitting that actually works. What I found for the idea of replacing. When I would feel the urge to bite my fingernails or suddenly realize that I was starting to do it, I had to replace that action with something else. Something like twisting my hair or tapping my leg or chewing gum or sucking on a peppermint. Within a few weeks, I realized that I wasn’t biting my fingernails anymore.
Before long, my fingernails began to grow and my mom was convinced. I got my ears pierced and started a collection of earrings. Practically heaven for this pre-teen!
It works for my thought-life too!
Here’s the thing, this process works for our thought lives too. One of the biggest temptations many people have during this crazy season of life is to worry. A global pandemic, racial tension, unemployment, isolation, and more have created an environment that is characterized by anxiety, fear, and worry.
What does Jesus have to say about it?
“Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying?” Matthew 6:25-27
Jesus told us not to worry. He doesn’t dance around the issue. It is a command. DO NOT WORRY. Period.
However, quitting worry can feel as hopeless as me trying to quit biting my fingernails. In order to have success, we have to replace those feelings of worry and anxiety with something else.
Replacing worry
Replacing worry with the peace of God is the only path to true success. We can’t just simply decide not to worry. We have to have thoughts from the Holy Spirit to take the place of worry.
The Word of God is the path we need.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
When worried thoughts about provision for your family begin to assail your mind, what if you instead choose to think:
“And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
If thoughts of anxiety about whether or not you will be able to do what you need to rise up inside you, replace them with:
“I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
What about when you are worried about your health? God is our Healer.
“Yet I will certainly bring health and healing to it and will indeed heal them. I will let them experience the abundance of true peace.” Jeremiah 33:6
For each of our worries, God’s Word can provide peace even while we are still going through the storms of life. We don’t have to be tossed by the waves and driven by the wind. We can be at peace on the inside through the power of replacing worry with the Word of God.
Action Step:
What is one thing that consistently pops up as a worry in your mind? Find one scripture today that speaks peace to that anxiety. Memorize it. Make it your phone lock screen or wallpaper. Keep it in your purse on a notecard. Tape it to your bathroom mirror.
When you feel tempted to worry, replace those thoughts with your scripture. Speak it out loud and meditate on the Word of God. Replacing worry with His Word will begin to transform your thoughts.
I have treasured your word in my heart
so that I may not sin against you. Psalm 119:11
Prayer:
Dear God, we want to obey your command to not worry, but sometimes it is hard to stop these anxious thoughts. When they start to come, lead us to Your Word, remind us of Your promises, and enable us to trust more in You. Help us to replace worry with Your peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
If you would like to read more posts in the Transform Your Thoughts Series, click HERE.
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