These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” – Matthew 6:32-34

I have some pretty awesome friends. I really do. This post is about a wonderful blessing I received from one a little while back. She taught me a valuable lesson. Actually, her friend taught her, and then she passed it on, so we’re really on a roll now that I’m passing it on to all of you.

It’s about worry. I can quote just about every Bible verse there is about worry. I know I’m not to do it, I know each day has enough trouble, I know that God wants to carry my worries. I even know that He’s already got my worries covered before I am aware of them. Still, I can’t seem to stop myself from wandering down the “what-if” path, which leads straight to worry. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.

My friend and I were talking about worry when she shared a huge truth her friend had shared with her, one that keeps her from skipping down that path. Here it is:

When you’re dealing with what-ifs,
if it hasn’t happened yet,
it isn’t true.
You are listening to a lie. You are entertaining a lie.

And we all know where those come from:

For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. – John 8:44

There is only one Truth-Teller. He’s the only one we should be listening to.

God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. – Hebrews 6:17-19

We don’t have to guess about how to switch these worrisome thoughts. He tells us exactly how to turn of the lies.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. – Philippians 4:6

He tells us what filter to use to ensure that we won’t be tricked again. The filter is this:
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Philippians 4:8

This simple truth shared by my friend seems like it should be a no-brainer, but it hit me like a lightning bolt. I was changed, in a wonderful way.

Don’t listen to the lies today, Dear One. If it hasn’t happened yet, it isn’t true.

My new what-if is this:
What if I choose to believe only the Truth-Teller and never the Father of lies? What if I kick worry to the curb in exactly the way the Bible tells me to? What if I allow things to unfold exactly the way they are meant to, and trust that God has me in His heart and my best interests already established?

Are you with me?

Heavenly Father, take these worries I’ve tucked away in my heart. I hand them over freely and ask that you keep me reminded of the truth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…

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May God Bless You,

Shelly