Most people spend a lot of time and energy obsessing over all the “what ifs” in our lives. What if it rains? What if I lose my job? What if I’m late? What if I flunk the test? What if… What if… What if… According to one source the average American is in a bad mood 110 days each year. That means about 30 percent of the time, people are in bad moods because of things like worry and stress and anger and depression.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus had some very direct things to say about worry. He simply said: “Do not worry.” While this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have legitimate concerns in our lives, it does mean that we mustn’t give too much concern for things over which we have no control, or circumstances that might never occur. Instead Jesus taught us to “seek first” the Kingdom of God and then “all these things” will be given us as well.
I like the approach Max Lucado took regarding worry. He presents eight worry stoppers. I like his list a whole lot.

P = Pray First. 1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Instead of pacing the floors of the waiting room; pray for a successful surgery; rather than bemoaning the collapse of the stock market; ask God to help provide for your needs.
E = Easy Now. Many of our biggest fears and worries are the result of running ahead of God. We can refuse to let God be God and work on His own schedule. But Psalm 46:10 begins, “Be still, and know that I am God…”
A = Act on it. James 4:7 says, “Anyone…who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” Sometimes with all our fretting and worry, we don’t do the good that we KNOW God wants us to do.

C = Compile a Worry List. Take some time to physically write down your anxious thoughts. Then after your worries are recorded take time to review them. How many turned into reality? How many never happened at all?
E = Evaluate your worries. Don’t throw that list away just yet. Look back over it again. It will probably reveal some themes of worry. You will most likely detect areas where you fret more than others. Use your worry list to compile your prayer list. You can pray specifically about the things that trouble you most.

F = Focus on today. The Lord usually doesn’t meet our needs in bulk form. He tends to meets our daily needs on a daily basis. Not weekly or annually. God will give you what you need when it is needed. And often JUST when it is needed.

U = Unleash a worry army. Admit your tendencies to fret with a few fellow believers. Share your new worry generated prayer concern list with them and ask them to pray with you and for you.

L = Let God Be Enough. Listen to how Jesus concluded this section about worry in His great sermon: “…your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Are you willing to do that? That’s what it all boils down to: being willing to let God supply what you need.