Stop Planning to Worry

"Worry takes away your joy." - Psalm 71:20-21 ERV

I didn't realize it until recently, but I have a habit of saying to myself, "I'll worry about that later." I probably would have kept saying it for the rest of my life, if the Lord hadn't given me a "check" in my spirit about it. He told me to strike this phrase from my speech, because it was affecting my well-being without me even realizing it. The other day, I heard my husband say it out loud while we were grocery shopping. He casually mentioned a food item that we might need in the near future, and then he commented, "We can worry about that later."

The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said that when I use seemingly innocent phrases like these, I am actually making plans to worry. He reminded me of the Scripture that says: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words." (Proverbs 18:21 AMP) Whether or not we like it, our words have "consequences." They minister either "death" or "life" to ourselves and others. And giving ourselves permission to worry is definitely not in the "life" category.

What's so bad about worrying? Well, for one thing, it takes away our joy. (Proverbs 12:25 ERV) One translation says that it weighs us down. (NLT) Feeling like there is a weight on our shoulders is draining, and it makes it nearly impossible for us to live the abundant life that Christ died to give us. (John 10:10)

Jesus said: "What's the use of worrying? What good does it do? Will it add a single day to your life? Of course not! And if worry can't even do such little things as that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?" (Luke 12:25-26 TLB) Worrying never did anyone any good. On the other hand, prayer always brings rewards. Always.

Whatever you do, don't make plans to worry - even unintentionally. Work with the Lord to evaluate and improve your speech, so that His blessings will flow into your life completely unhindered!

Prayer: Lord, remind me often that my words have consequences. Help me to work with You to evaluate and improve my speech on a regular basis. Teach me how to incorporate Your Word and Your Truth into my prayers and conversation in ways that minister life to me and to others. Thank You that my joy will increase, and my worry will decrease, as I follow Your lead in this area of my life!

- J. M. Farro

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