Do you ever read something that makes you have to stop and think about it for a minute or two? (Or even longer!) I read something recently that did this to me, and I confess, it also convicted me. It was talking about worry and it said that the root of the word worry is an Old German word that meant “to strangle”. As I stopped to think about this, I thought this was the perfect description of what worry does to a person. It strangles you.
Like a constrictor snake, when it wraps it coils around you, it tries to strangle the life out of you. This may sound a little graphic, but it is true, nonetheless. Worry will drain the life out of you if you let it. I know this because it has been a daily struggle for me for the last several years. Every single day, I face “worries” that could quite literally strangle the life out of me if I were to let them. I have to consciously choose not to allow this to happen.
I have to be intentional about giving these worries and fears to God or I will be overwhelmed. It isn’t easy; in fact, it is one of the hardest things for me to do. There are many worries that I struggle with each day, and it is getting harder not to allow them to consume me, but I keep doing my best to give them to God. I have no choice, if I fail to do so, I will be a prisoner of them. I don’t want to be a prisoner, so I have to choose freedom.
Freedom comes when I give these worries to God and let Him take care of them. I have to give them to Him and let Him do what only He can do. I must do this because I cannot fix some of the worries that weigh so heavily on my mind. That worry that is always there in the back of my mind is beyond anything I can fix, so I have to trust Him and keep giving it to Him. Notice the wording in that last sentence. I have to keep giving it to Him.
Why? Because the worry is there, and it is a legitimate concern that requires diligent prayer on behalf of one I love. The situation hasn’t changed; therefore, I must keep giving it to God so that the worry does not consume me. This means that every time it comes to my mind, I have to choose to turn that worry into a prayer. I choose to turn that worry into a prayer and that is my secret to stop it from strangling me with the fear that tries to grab hold of my heart.
I am learning that if I turn my worries into prayers, they don’t have the power to strangle me. If I turn my worries into prayers, He calms my heart and gives me the “peace that passes all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). This is a peace that can only be found in Him, my friend. When circumstances aren’t changing (or perhaps get worse), we have to learn to go to Him for the peace and comfort we need. If we don’t, the worry can indeed consume and strangle us.
Perhaps you know exactly what I mean when I say that worry can consume your thoughts. Worry can literally feel as if it is strangling you as it holds you in its grip. I’m sure if we could sit and share our thoughts over a lovely cup of coffee, you and I could discuss a great many things that are cause for worry in our lives. Not to mention the fact that the price of nearly everything has increased significantly in the last few years causing more reason for concern.
We all have a lot of things that tempt us to worry. I confess, I’ve struggled with it the very morning I am typing these words. As I said, it is a constant battle to stay ahead of its strangling grip. However, I must do what always helps me in these moments and that is to turn the worry into a prayer and turn my mind to Truth. I call to my mind Scriptures that bring me comfort and courage. I remind myself of God’s faithfulness. When I do, I am comforted.
Dear heart, maybe today you needed to be reminded that you do not have to let worry strangle you. You do not have to let it consume your thoughts. There is a better way. Turn those worries into prayers, beloved; give them to the One who can do something about them. Give them to the One who can speak peace to your heart. Instead of letting worry consume your mind, fill your mind with Scriptures that speak life into your situation.
If you choose to fight using these battle plans, worry will not be able to strangle you, my friend. Whatever may be going on, whatever burdens are gripping your heart and mind, He is more than able to handle them. Remind yourself of how He has moved for you in the past. Remind yourself who you serve and what He is capable of. And remember how very much He loves you. You can trust Him to hold you and help you through whatever comes your way.
See also: Joshua 1:9; 1 Thess. 5:17; Psalm 91
Katrina Douglas
