Stop It! No More WorrySample

Free Me from Worry

Prayer

Dear Father, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, to change the things that I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Help me to live in the present rather than worry about the future. When my mind starts wandering to things that it shouldn’t, do something to bring me back to now – whether it be a loud noise, siren, or someone speaking to me – anything to jolt me back to where I am in the present, Lord. Free me from the burden of worry and increase my faith in you.

Key Verse:
Psalm 55:22

My Prayer Needs/Requests

My Own Prayer

Practical Steps

1. Think of a problem that a friend or family member of yours worries about. Write down what they think about it and how it makes them ultimately act in one column, and the potential or realized outcome. Then in another column, write down your thoughts, actions and outcome to the same problem. Notice how thoughts can affect outcomes. Now apply this to something you worry about. Write down your worry, thoughts, actions and possible outcomes and then what you believe someone else who does not struggle in these areas would think, say, do and experience. 

2. Practice breathing calmly. Breathing has far more power than most of us realize. Women have gone through labor without medication simply by mastering and employing the art of focus and breathing. When you breathe deeply, it can lower your blood pressure, balance your PH levels and reduce the amount of cortisol running around in your body. That’s why you will often hear someone say, “Take ten deep breaths” to someone who is becoming agitated. Or perhaps you have said it yourself. If you will set aside time to practice deep breathing on a regular basis, you will be more inclined to apply this method to overcoming worry when worry strikes.

3. Evaluate your thoughts when they enter. If a thought is not a productive or plausible thought then write it down and stick it in your worry box that you made earlier in the week. Pray to the Lord to handle it and to give you His perspective on the matter.

If you found this devotional meaningful, Tony Evans’ sermon, Stop It! No More Worry will provide you with a deeper knowledge of overcoming worry in your life. Please visit: http://go.tonyevans.org/no-more-worries