August 16

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. — Phil 4:6 BSB

Learning not to worry is a lesson everyone should master.

Worry wastes our energy, strength, and focus. It makes us unfit for our responsibilities. It dishonors God, who has promised to care for us if we do His will. Plus, worry is pointless—it doesn’t fix anything.

The Bible gives many lessons on worry, but none is clearer than Paul’s instructions on how to overcome it.

First, we are told simply not to worry. “Do not be anxious about anything.” There’s no room for exceptions. We are not to be anxious about anything.

What should we do with the things that cause us anxiety? We should take them to God in prayer and leave them in His hands. If we do this, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds from anxiety. Learning this lesson will benefit us greatly in every aspect of life.