Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
Abilities wither under criticism; they blossom under encouragement.
Dale Carnegie (1888-1955) was an American writer and teacher. Written in 1936, his best-selling book, HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE, remains popular even in current times.
Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.
Help others without any reason and give without the expectation of receiving anything in return.
Roy T. Bennett (born 1963) is an American writer and motivational speaker.
All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God.
From Psalm 37:8: “Refrain from anger and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Worry, whatever its source, weakens, takes away courage, and shortens life.
From 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
John Lancaster Spaulding was an American author and poet. He was a prolific writer about Christian themes and education.
Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.
From Isaiah 26:3-4: “Those of steadfast mind You keep in peace, in peace because they trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.”
Leo Buscaglia (1924-1998) was an American author and motivational speaker.
The one thing that keeps us from the possibility of worrying is bringing God in as the greatest factor in our calculations.
From Psalm 37:5: “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
From Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.”
Darkness shields life’s guiding light
Causing worries to take flight
Life’s trials, too much to bear
Ask, who really seems to care?
World seems to be crashing down
Running dry, emptiness drowns
Words and actions, meek and weak
Ask, who shall one run to seek?
Vacant wilderness, so dark
Crying out, life’s question mark
Heart and soul, feeling hollow
Ask, what voice shall one follow?
Voice answers, restoring hopes
Searching from distant slopes
Good Shepherd, looking for one
Saving His flock, one by one
From John 10:14-16: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”
Originally published November, 2020.
When you worry about what you don’t have, you won’t be able to enjoy what you have.
From Matthew 6:25: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”
Charles Swindoll (born 1934) is an American pastor and Christian author.
God personally cares about the things that worry us. You are His personal concern. He cares about those aching thoughts that are like heavy anchors dragging you down.
From 1 Peter 5:6-7: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Running away to nowhere
Sky absent of any joy
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry arrives to destroy
Driving along road’s darkness
Sky absent of moonbeam’s light
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry invades every night
Fleeing from life’s harsh outcomes
Sky absent of any peace
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry refuses to cease
Navigating stormy seas
Sky absent of any stars
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry bleeds from every scar
Wasting each forgotten day
Sky absent of all sunlight
Hope feeling forsaken
Worry forever in flight
Indeed . . . there is a faithful and forgiving Light, filled with unseen hope, as found in these verses of Scripture:
Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
