I’m tired of sweating the small stuff. And stressing about the large stuff. And worrying about whatever is in between.
So, now that it’s a brand new year, my goal is simple and certain: To worry about nothing – and pray about everything.
It’s practical advice that comes from the Bible, yet it’s so difficult to apply at times.
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
And the next verse tells us the result of not worrying, but choosing to pray about our concerns instead:
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Worry prematurely ages us. And stress, literally, kills. But more than wanting to protect my health, I want God to be pleased with my life and to worry is the opposite of faith. To worry or stress about something is to say to God –and others – that I don’t believe He is capable of taking care of all that concerns me.
In light of my upcoming book, Ten Secrets to Becoming a Worry-Free Mom (releasing March 1 from Harvest House Publishers), I want to be a woman who doesn’t worry about ANYTHING in my life, regardless of what comes my way.
As I point out in my new book, we don’t worry because of our circumstances. We worry because of who we are. And worrying – whether it’s about our children, our husbands, our aging parents, or our friends – doesn’t show how much we love another person, but how little we know God.
So, this is what I’m practicing every day this year – The ABCs to not worrying about the things that would ordinarily weigh us down. And I’m asking you to join me in this quest.
- A – Admit you (and I) are not in control. It’s that easy. God can handle it. We cannot.
- B – Believe God only wants the best for you. To release our lives and loved ones into God’s hands we must trust God and His character. We must believe He is good, He is loving, and He is so much wiser than we are. That means if He allows something we don’t understand, we trust Him, rather than worry that He got it wrong.
- C – Commit yourself to a deeper knowledge of God. I’m a firm believer that if we want to improve any relationship in our lives, we must first grow in our relationship with God. As we get to know Him more intimately, we can trust Him with all that concerns us. And then, instead of being worriers (who focus on the negative and what could go wrong), we can be encouragers. How well you and I trust God is directly connected to how well you and I know Him. So, simply said, I want to know Him more.
So, will you share with me this goal to get to know this great, loving, capable God even better this year? If so, let me know in the comment section below. I’ll be right alongside you…encouraging you each step of the way.
Thank-You! Much needed inspiration! I am with you…
Thanks for responding, Necole.
Thank you! I will be so happy to join you in this worry free year article of encouragement! I normally enjoy reading all your news letters! May God cotinue to guide and keep you, and each one of us that have joined with you !!
Thank you, Annete. Glad you’ll be joining us. And thanks for sticking with me and my newsletters. It is my goal to continue to encourage you throughout the year. 🙂
Yes! I hadn’t formally stated a goal for the year 2016, but you ABC goal above is exactly what I want for myself for the coming year!
I’m so glad to hear that, Sue. Thanks for joining this quest with me. 🙂
So, will you share with me this goal to get to know this great, loving, capable God even better this year? YES! If so, let me know in the comment section below. I’ll be right alongside you…encouraging you each step of the way.thank you for coming along side of me. I appreciate your encouragement. I have a few sistas in Christ Jesus that i will be sharing this email with. Peace be with you. Thank YOU Jesus for this book coming out in March! I would love one!
Marian, thank you for your excitement about the book and your kind words that have encouraged my heart this morning. And thanks for planning to share these emails/blogs with your sistas in Christ. 🙂
Thank you so much for the advice. I actually started the year with so many things in my mind that caused me to sink in worries and doubts abt the new year. I was really struggling to stop worrying but your letter really uplifted me. I will recite it to myself everyday i feel that worrying feeling is surfacing.
Kikinoum — I’m so encouraged that this blog arrived in your email inbox at precisely the right time for you. I credit God’s timing for that. I hope to share uplifting words with you for the next several months. Thanks for being “on the team.”
I join you! Worry about nothing. PRAY about everything. What a wonderful resolution for 2016.
Thank you!
You’re welcome, Cynthia. I wish I could say I came up with that resolution all by myself, but I had A LOT of help from the writer of Philippians 4:6. 🙂
Thank you for the encouragement. I really needed it. Sometimes I get a little stressed and don’t know what to do. I am going to try to stay stress free.
You’re welcome, Wanda. Stress creeps up on us so easily, doesn’t it? Yet reminding ourselves that nothing took God by surprise really helps. Try that this week. 🙂
Thank you for this post Cindi. God has been dealing with me and my desire to control my life for the past few months. It wasn’t until I fully committed everything to Him that I realized how much I was trying to do on my own instead of relying on Him :). This is definitely on my goal list for 2016: Don’t worry, just pray! By the way, I have been blessed by your books, When a Woman Inspires Her Husband and When God Speaks to a Woman’s Heart. Thank you for you straight-forward honesty and insight!!
Wow…thank you so much for those encouraging words this morning, Cheryl. I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know how those books have impacted your life. Thanks for being a reader of my books. 🙂 Glad to have you on board in this challenge to worry about nothing; pray about everything.
I love this, Cindi! And I can’t wait for your book to be released! It’s at the top of my wishlist 😉
Sally, Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I will definitely be in touch with you as the book releases. Your blogs that help women be happy and healthy have helped me and it’s my prayer this book will help moms be happy and healthy, too, by not worrying and stressing.
Yes would really like to know this loving capable God better and get deeper and stronger relationship with Him,thanks Cindi
You’re welcome, Shashi. 🙂
I’m with you. Only day 4 of 2016 and already facing challenges.
I know what you mean, Carol. We all face challenges and temptations to worry every day. That’s why we’re doing this together. 🙂 Here’s some encouragement for the remainder of this week: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14).
Hi Cindi,
I liked your ABC on your post. And I am with you too.
Thanks, Elia. I hope you’ll be encouraged over the next several months as we do this together.
Our pastor encourages us each January to choose a scripture for the new year. Since I tend to be a worrier, I chose Phillipians 4:6-7 for this year’s verses. Thank you for your thoughts and encouragement on being worry free this year (and always all ways)! I particularly liked your ABC’s and want to join you and the others in making this the year to be “worry free!”
That’s neat that you had already chosen that verse, Sue. Thanks for joining us on this quest to be worry-free this year.
I’m with you! I worry constantly about my son. I worry about his spiritual growth. I worry about his school work and grades. I worry about his social life. I worry that I’m not being a good Mom. I need to stop worrying, pray a lot and trust God!
Thanks for your comments, Jan. You sound like a perfect candidate for my new book, Ten Secrets to Becoming a Worry-Free Mom. I actually cover all those areas you mentioned in my chapters. Stay tuned for ways you can win a free copy of that book.
Cindi, your posts are always exactly what I need to hear, when I need to hear it! My word of the year is FAITH. I am such a worrier. “To worry is the opposite of faith.” Thank you for those precious words! This year I will try to worry less, and have more faith that God’s got this!
Yes, Kimberly, “God’s got this.” That applies to everything, doesn’t it? Glad you’re with me on this. Have a blessed 2016 and I’m looking forward to keeping in touch for another year. 🙂
I so much needed to read your email today.My son aged 42 has taken several seizures and is getting so difficult to care for. God alone can undertake, as my son refuses to listen to me.
Mae, I’m glad you were encouraged by my blog. Stick with me for the next several weeks and I hope to continue to encourage you to worry about nothing and pray about everything. Blessings.
Hi! I just want to thank you for your message/reminder. It’s very timely at this point in my life. With so much change going on with my family and uncertainties for the future, I feel insecurity and some fear that occasionally rises up and threatens my very breathing. When I read your post, it brought my faith back into focus, and I relaxed into God. Thank you.
Larryn, I’m so encouraged to hear that the article brought you peace and reminded you that God is in control. Rest in Him today. 🙂
This is what I am practising this year – to surrender all to Jesus
I’m glad to hear it, Noku. God’s blessings as you surrender all to Him and trust Him with your everyday life.
I am with you sister – I want 2016 to be a worry free year for me, too. 2015 was hard and I can tell you I got some storms coming my way this year – but I am going to let God protect me and my family — I am going to get out of the way and quit trying to do what I think is best. Have a blessed year.
Sounds good, Lara. A blessed new year to you, too. 🙂
I want to thank you for your inspiring post. Lost, I searched for ways to get closer to God and your website came across. I am glad I did not scroll past. Just reading through I appreciated every word. I just joined the mail list. I would be honored to join you through this journey of worry free year. These times are hard but they will pass. Thank you again and God Bless.
Sabrina, I’m glad you found my website. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Glad you will be joining us as we focus on trusting God and being worry-free this year.
Thank you for your encouraging words. I too desire to have a deeper relationship with Christ and love your worry free formula for 2016! I would love to come on board with you. God bless.
Thanks, Michelle. Glad you’ll be joining us.