‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God’.–
According to the World Health Organization [WHO], every 40 seconds, one person commits suicide, worldwide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death especially among 15- to 29-year-olds globally.
Perhaps, it is even more disturbing when celebrities, who seem to have everything, take their own lives. Last year alone, the world was stunned by the news of three celebrity suicides, including that of a CNN presenter who took his life in a hotel room while filming an episode of his show for CNN.
The question that often trails such suicides is; Why? And part of the answer has been traced to anxiety disorder. According to a recent report by the World Health Organization, anxiety disorders are on the increase. Indeed, it seems the world is entering a new age of anxiety. As the economic situation worsens, fretting in the general population seems to be on the rise.
However, the Bible in Philippians 4:6 says, ‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God’. God’s will is for you to focus on praise and thanksgiving instead of worrying.
In Luke 12:25, Jesus said, “Which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Then, in the following verse 26, Jesus pointed something else out: He said, “Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Indeed, worry never solves any problem. Psychologists tell us that roughly 40 percent of what we worry about will never happen and 30 percent has already happened. Additionally, 12 percent of worries are over unfounded health concerns. Another 10 percent of worries involve the daily miscellaneous fretting that accomplishes nothing. That leaves only 8 percent. In other words, people are worrying 92 percent of the time for no good reason.
Worry is like a rocking chair; requiring a lot of energy, and yet it gets you nowhere. Instead of worrying, look up to God in every situation, trusting that He will definitely work things out to your favor.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 says, ‘Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.’
Maintaining a joyful attitude in the face of any challenge, is a way of inviting God to come into that situation and take control. And whenever God takes over, the battle is over. Therefore today, turn your worry into worship and watch God turn your trials into triumphs.
PRAYER
Lord, I trust that You are in control of my life, and all that concerns me. And I know that even right now You are working out everything together for my good in Jesus name.
Quote
Praise always guarantees you power for a raise. Learning to praise God in season and out of season is key to fulfilling destiny. – WORDBITE 222.