God’s Seven-Step Plan For Overcoming Worry

FOR OVERCOMING WORRY
God’s Seven-Step Recovery Plan

Sooner or later, we all come to a time in our lives when we get consumed by our problems. Some of us are more prone than others to worry, fret, and become anxious. For times like this God has a recovery plan that I have found useful, but as with all advice, unless it is taken and put into practice, it won’t do much good.

The problem with most worriers is that they would rather worry and fret and see all the bad possibilities, than take positive action to help themselves and those around them. Therefore, I’d like to share God’s seven-step recovery plan with you. But I want to preface this plan with Paul’s words to the Philippians: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:9 NIV).

The Philippian Recovery Plan

Step 1: As with any habit, once we vow to break it and quit we must focus on other things. So instead of worrying and being anxious, Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil. 4:10).

Step 2: We must constantly remind ourselves not to worry, but to pray with a heart of faith believing that God’s will be done. When we pray giving God thanks in advance, good things will happen. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6).

Step 3: Most of us worriers are also very pessimistic, seeing the worst possible scenario first. We must change our behavior, and think about positive things. “Whatever is true ... noble ... right ... pure ... lovely ... admirable ... excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things” (Phil. 4:8).

Step 4: We must learn to be content in all situations. We must remember that nothing going on in our lives is a surprise to God. He is in control. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Phil. 4:12).

Step 5: We must become more confident. Let’s not forget that with God we can do all things. “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).

Step 6: God promises to do His part. When we turn our worry into praise, our anxiety into thanksgiving, and do what He says, His peace is ours. “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you ... And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:9, 7).

Step 7: God also provides. He will meet all our needs and He uses all His power and dominion – here, there, and everywhere – to see that our needs are taken care of. “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

I know that life sometimes deals us tough blows. In some small way they serve to remind us of the cross our Savior bore for us. And this helps put all our problems into perspective.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dan Eller serves the Lord full-time in a pastoral ministry in Tonganoxie, Kansas, USA.