Worry and I have quite a history together. We go all the way back to my earliest memories of childhood. We have shared many long hours in a variety of situations.

Here are some things I’ve learned about Worry:

Worry never travels alone. Fear, Doubt, and Insecurity are frequent companions. Panic often comes along, too. Things get pretty crowded when they all show up.

Worry can be subtle at first. A fleeting thought. Just a tiny concern. But it can grow and take complete control in a heartbeat. That’s when things really start to get interesting. The temptation to say and do things completely out of character happens under the influence of Worry. It can get pretty ugly.

Worry is a complete distraction. A time-waster that invites us to dwell on the possibility that bad things will happen when hardly any of it ever does. Time stolen that cannot be recovered.

We were not designed to carry around Worry. Over time it takes a dramatic toll on us. It depletes our energy, steals our joy, and makes us sick. The negative side effects can be deadly.

What do we do with Worry?

Give it to God.

 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. ~1 Peter 5:7

Because of His great love for us, God is committed to taking care of everything we need. He has a plan. He is always at work, even when we can’t see it. We can rest in the promises of His word. And He always keeps His word.

Break up with Worry. That relationship is going nowhere in a hurry. Give it all to God and relax while He takes care of it.