Oh, dear...I'm worrying again!

Worrying...
I don't think anyone can say that they've never worried before.  I believe it's human nature to focus on our troubles and concerns.  It is so easy to think about the what-if's in life and the unknowns in the future.  However, our goal should be to hand these worries over to Jesus before we become consumned by them.

I have been reading in Philippians the past few days and have been greatly challenged by the testimony of Paul.  If anyone had something to worry about, it was Paul!  He was the target of many people and spent a lot of time in prison.  Yet through it all, he had such a positive outlook on life and basically a carefree attitude.  Listen to what he says in Philippians 4:6-7 in the Message version:
"Don't fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.  Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.  It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."

What was Paul's solution to worrying?  Prayer!  It was as simple as that.  A conversation with his heavenly Father about what was on his heart and mind.  I believe that's a lesson we can all learn and one that might be easier said than done.  But it's certainly a challenge that I'm going to take to heart and I hope you will as well!