Philippians 4:4–8 (NIV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Yesterday, in our Connection Time, we studied Philippians 4:4-8.

Today, I want to recap some of the things I said, so you will have them in writing to meditate on.

Let’s think about what worry cannot do:
a. It cannot solve the problem
b. It cannot add a single day to your life
c. It cannot add an inch to your height.
d. It cannot make you good looking
e. It cannot give you health
f.  It cannot give you hope
g. It cannot provide for your necessities
h. It cannot give you peace
i. It cannot heal broken relationships

Let’s think about what worry can do:
a. It can keep you paralyzed in fear
b. It can take away your hope
c. It can keep you from trusting God.
d. It can lead you to not eat, or over eat, or to depend on drugs
(legal and illegal, alcohol and other mind-altering substances.)
e. It can keep you from experiencing the blessing of God

Some years ago, a professor at a leading American university studied the things people worry about.
His research discovered that:
40% never happens
30% concerns the past
12% are needless worries about health
10% are about petty issues
8% are legitimate concerns

That means that 92% of our “worry time” is wasted energy as we exert mental and emotional energy on things outside our control.  Actually, we’re not to worry even about the 8%.
Phil 4: 6 “Do not be anxious about anything.”

When we worry, we’re really saying that God can’t take care of us; that our problems are bigger than His promises. We may even be saying that we are not trusting in God’s divine plan for how he wants to get glory out of our lives.

What is the most troubling thing in your life right now?

You may want to write pray, “Lord, I’m putting my trust in you.  I leave my __________ in your hands.