Getting Practical

There are several reasons we do not admit to our worries. We do not know they are there. We are confident of our ways. We are able to suppress our worries somewhat. We have good excuses. We know of no alternatives. We are scared. We are busy with other things. We are just too prideful of the way we manage things.

The psalmist called the anxious thoughts 'my anxious thoughts.' He took responsibility for them rather than following their lead. Facing our problems as they actually are becomes one of the first major steps toward getting rid of anxious thoughts. If we cannot do this, then we will not get rid of our worries.

We have a choice on how to handle our anxious thoughts.

These anxious thoughts are not worry in and of themselves. This step on how we handle anxious thoughts is crucial. We will either respond with worry or trust. Trust will defeat these anxious thoughts every time! By trusting, we believe the Lord will care for all our needs. By worrying, we allow these anxious thoughts to plague our hearts and minds.

Faith is ______________. The righteous will live by faith.

Jesus commanded us to stop worrying. Have you accepted the truth that your worry is sin and reveals that you have not been trusting in your Heavenly Father? Have you confessed this attitude of self-reliance and your sin of anxiousness to the Lord?

You perhaps have used excuses for your worries.

• My circumstances are different.
• My background is different.
• Worry can be helpful.
  

Now is the time to get honest.
By acknowledging our reliance on the Lord, we reject our dependence upon ourselves. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:3-4). Humbling precedes healing; repentance comes before restoration.

Hope grows as we understand how to deal with our problems. Despair comes when we do not see the way to change things. By pointing out the way our decisions have brought us where we are today, we are also highlighting the way out. We have a choice. We can choose to do different things.

The great way is to keep proceeding over the bridge by dumping over the railing each worry that we find.

Assignment List your worries.   At home, you might find yourself discovering more issues that you have not confessed. Keep confessing and asking for forgiveness until you have gone through all your known worries. Download and use the confession form from the index page.

Now let's see how Jesus handled a situation filled with circumstances that would typically produce worry. Next page

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Biblical Foundations for Freedom