I recently ran across a top ten list that I thought I might share with you today. It’s titled, the “Top Ten Ways to Tame Your Worry Habit.” My first thought was, “this list isn’t for me.” I don’t worry about things. It’s not in my nature to worry.

But then I remembered that I do worry and what I worry about. I recall conversations I’ve had. I relive moments with others. I wonder how I affected those who were around when I made wild remarks. Then I wish I hadn’t said it, done it, or acted the way I did. I go over and over that moment until I’m obsessed with it.

And here’s the crazy part. Some of these conversations I recall happened years ago. I can almost guarantee nobody else remembers that one remark I made. Just me.

It doesn’t end here either. If I need to write an email for work, I’ll rework that email for an hour. Then I’ll walk away and come back to it and rework it again. Sometimes it’s almost painful to hit the send button.

These are my worrying points and to be honest, they’ve caused me as much wasted time as worrying about a health issue, or my children and grandchildren, or whether there’s enough money in the bank to cover the bills.

Jesus knew worry would be a stumbling point for us and He spoke gentle words of encouragement to those who tend to worry. “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34 – NIV) Boy did He get that right!

So here are some practical ways for you (and I) to tame that worry habit. I pray that you’ll find something that you can implement into your life to help with this time-wasting habit. I believe I did.

“Top Ten Ways to Tame Your Worry Habit”[i]

10. “Separate toxic waste from genuine concern.” If you can do something about a situation, do it. If you cannot do something about it, it will bring you to worry if you allow it to. (Proverbs 16:3)

9. “Don’t worry alone.” Someone may be able to help you see something you’ve missed. Share your concern with a trusted friend. (Proverbs 27:9)

8. “Take care of your physical body.” When we are physically at our peak, we are able to handle the worries of the day. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

7. “Do what is right.” Don’t allow guilt to rule your life. Acknowledge mistakes. Seek forgiveness. Live above reproach. (Acts 24:16)

6. “Look on the bright side.” Stay positive. Think positively. Live knowing there is good to be found. Look for the good. (Ephesians 4:29; Philippians 4:8)

5. “Control your imagination.” There’s no reason to ask “what if?” You don’t know what might come of a situation. (Isaiah 35:3-4)

4. “Prepare for the unexpected.” A little extra in the bank account goes a long way to ward off the worry gremlins. If you can, save a little from each pay check for such an occasion. (Proverbs 21:20)

3. “Trust God.” Remember He is in control and while it may not go as we’d like, He has the plan. Trust Him. (Psalm 112:7)

2. “Meditate on God’s promises.” God’s Word is filled with promises and there are probably some that deal with your particular area of worry. Know what He has to say about worry and allow the Scripture to transform you. (2 Peter 1:4)

1. “Pray!” Surely you knew this would be the number one way to tame worry. We will find peace by giving our worries to God. Allow Him to carry the burden. He has big shoulders and a compassionate heart. Give it to God. (Colossians 4:2)

You’ve read these ten ways to tame worry. Perhaps you’ve even said, “yes that’s true.”  But until you actually do something to tame your worry, you’ll never be free of it. Worry will always be part of your life. Worry will be your life.

Why not make the decision to implement these ten ways into your life? Ask God to help you with it. And please know that God has better things for you to be doing than sitting around worrying.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna