What are you WORRIED about?
Make a list of the things you’re worried about today…
Go ahead.
Write them down.
Got it?
According to researchers at Cornell University, 85% of the stuff we worry about NEVER HAPPENS! Ever! 85%!
85% of the stuff we worry about NEVER HAPPENS!
That means only 15% of what we spend so much time, energy, and emotion WORRYING ABOUT ever happens.
By the way, according to the same report, of the 15% of worries that came to pass, 79% of the time people handled those problems or challenges BETTER than they thought they would!
The bottom line of the report by Cornell was that there was really NOTHING to WORRY ABOUT 97% of the time!
In fact, only 3% of the time did people’s worries prove to be well founded. [1]
Only 3% of the time are our worries well founded.
So, what do I do with my WORRY?
Here are three suggestions for what we can do with our worries:
1. PRAY
“Don’t WORRY about anything; instead, PRAY about everything…”
—Philippians 4:6 NLT
2. Cultivate an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE
“Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 BE THANKFUL in all circumstances…”
—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a NLT
According to research by the Mayo Clinic, cultivating an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE can, “…improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease.” [2]
Stop complaining.
Start praising!
3. CHANGE SOUNDTRACKS! REPLACE “old tapes” with God’s TRUTH!
It’s interesting how we tend to play the same soundtracks and recordings over and over and over in our minds, usually imagining the worst possible outcomes.
Instead of going back to those same old depressing, distressing soundtracks, why not create a NEW SOUNDTRACK to occupy your mind?
Fill your mind with promises from God’s Word and begin to play and
rehearse those promises over your life!
For instance, when you’re worried about your finances, why not play the soundtrack of Philippians 4:19?
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:19 NKJ
When you’re stressed about your children, instead of allowing your mind to become preoccupied with all kinds of negative outcomes, why not turn up the soundtrack of Isaiah 54:13?
“All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.”
—Isaiah 54:13 NIV
Change the SOUNDTRACK in your mind!
Fill your mind with God’s Word.
Read it.
Hear it.
Listen to it being taught.
Meditate on it!
Study it.
Memorize it!
Declare it!
So, what are you worried about?
Only 3% of it will probably happen…
Who knows, when you begin to proactively PRAY, cultivate an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE, and CHANGE the SOUNDTRACK in your head and heart, maybe even that 3% will become toast (See Numbers 14:9).
[1] https://medium.com/mind-cafe/85-of-what-you-worry-about-never-happens-3f748aab16de
[2] https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/can-expressing-gratitude-improve-health#:~:text=Expressing%20gratitude%20is%20associated%20with,pain%20and%20risk%20of%20disease.