Are you a worrier? I know. Me, too. Like most of us, my friend, Cindi McMenamin, has struggled with worry as well. But she’s learned a thing or two about how to handle the pesky peace-stealer we call “worry’. In fact, she’s written a book on the subject.
This week I’ve invited Cindi to share her insight. And she’s giving away one free copy of her newest book, 10 Secrets to Becoming a Worry-Free Mom. Even if you aren’t a mom you’ll love Cindi’s words of wisdom. So….take it away, Cindi!
I’ll admit it. I can be a worrier.
It happens every time those two words “what if?” creep into my mind and I entertain them for awhile.
What if I my child gets hurt?
What if I can’t pay this bill?
What if I can’t do this on my own?
It occurred to me recently that I begin to play through the “what ifs” every time I forget about God’s presence (and the fact that He knows all about what’s happening in my life), God’s power (and the fact that He is capable of anything) and God’s perfect will (and the fact that He will allow whatever comes my way for my eternal best and to shape me into the likeness of His Son, Jesus.)
I also forget, at times, that God actually WANTS me to bring my concerns, fears, and anxieties to Him. In Philippians 4:6-7 we are told: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (NLT).
Do you ever hold onto your worries because you don’t want to bother God with them? Or you think God doesn’t care? Or you’re convinced it’s selfish to ask Him for something? I realized recently, that if I were focusing on the facts about God’s character, rather than relying on my feelings (which can often be misguided), then I’d have nothing to worry about at all.
Let me encourage you with five things God will never say as you and I hand Him our worries and concerns – about our children, our marriage, our lives:
- You’ve got this yourself.
- I really don’t want to hear about it.
- You don’t need Me.
- Sorry, it’s impossible.
- I don’t want to do anything for you
Instead, these are God’s responses to our worries and concerns:
- “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14).
- “Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8).
- “[You] can do all things (not on your own, but….) through Christ who strengthens [you]” (Philippians 4:13).
- “With God all things are possible,” (Matthew 19:26).
- “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11).
There you go….He is waiting and able to handle all that concerns you and me. So…let’s not keep our worries to ourselves and get anxiety and ulcers over them. Let’s hand them to the Only One who can work all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Cindi McMenamin is a national speaker and author who helps women and couples find strength for the soul. She is the author of 15 books, including When Women Walk Alone, When Couples Walk Together, God’s Whispers to a Woman’s Heart, and her newest, 10 Secrets to Becoming a Worry-Free Mom. For more on her books, ministry, or free resources to strengthen your soul, marriage or parenting, see her website: StrengthForTheSoul.com
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I am really excited about this book. I can see me using it to help moms and families i am working with on a daily basis. It will also help me in my ministry.
Loving these truths! I am a recovering worrywart! This speaks straight to my heart. Thank you for your words of encouragement and the reminder that God has got this.
This would be a great book for me! I have a bad habit of giving worries to God then taking them back. I would love to experience God’s peace more often and to stop the “what if” thinking.
Great reminders to worry less and give it up to God who can do all things!
I really needed to read this today. With all of the events over the last week in Orlando, I can see how worry can turn to fear and fear can paralyze us from living life as Jesus intends As followers of Christ, we need to understand we may not fully understand what God is doing in difficult circumstances. Tragedy and evil are inevitable parts of a fallen world, but we need to know (and not worry) that God is in control and when bad things happen, we can be sure God will provide comfort and guidance. I need to learn to lean on God more and not let worry lead to crippling fear.
Thank you for this wonderful reminder!!
I needed to read this this morning. Thank you! I’m about to go back to work after being a stay at home mom for 7 years. Needless to say I’ve been spinning in my head with ‘what ifs’. Thank you for the reminder that I need to continually pray and hand over my worries and fears.
Thank you Cindi. I have been reading Donnas blog posts ever since she spoke at my CRU Women’s Retreat at Cal Poly. That was my Freshman Year and now I just completed my Multi Subject Credential. Thank you for your wisdom about Worry. It was encouraging to hear the scripture truths that we should know by heart when we are telling ourselves lies. As a post grad, I sometimes am crippled by worry because of interviews and jobs. However, I know the Lord is faithful in his timing and not my own.
Thanks for sharing and thank you Donna for your constant encouragement. I love your blog and I always remember on thing you said at our retreat and that is our girl friends are our numbers that keep us accountable in place.
Wow. I too, am a recovering worrier! Encouragement like this, gathering scripture from the All Suffiencient Savior, is like water to the soul. In my recovery process, I have come to realize that not only can worry be a habit, it can also be an addiction. So, often times, shame can keep me from going to my sweet, powerful savior for freedom from this peace-robber!
Thank you, Donna, for the opportunity to share this message with your readers. And thank you to each of you who have read it and commented. I’m so encouraged that each of you want to give to God all those ‘what ifs’ and trust in His power, His presence, and His perfect will for your lives.
Thank you for sharing such a good reminder! Thank you for encouraging me to focus on God only not to dwell on my own emotions and distractions causing me to worry! Thank you!
I was laid off in January and found out right afterwards I was pregnant with my third child (which means three kids in three years!). Due to rising costs of childcare and the poor job market in our area, my husband and I made the decision that I should be a SAHM, so I constantly find myself worrying about how to pay the bills and give my children what they need. I’ve been looking for good Christian readings for mothers, and I think this book may be good for me. Thank you for these reminders.
I am a worry wart. A friend will usually stop me in my tracks with “did you pray about it?” Well, “no I didn’t.” My first instinct should be to pray. However, I will worry, worry, worry first. This is something I can change. It seems I worry about things that never happen. The “what ifs” as you call them. It seems that the things that do happen are things I never thought to worry about.
What a great book. Eager to read!
This sounds so inspiring. I can’t wait!!!
Sounds like a great book for myself and many moms I know!
As a mom to 2 daughters, and ‘Nonnie’ to 5 grandchildren, I find myself in worry mode too often. Yet I know my Abba Father hears from prayers for these I love. And I am so grateful that unlike my own earthly father who was home but not always emotionally available, my Abba always hears when I lift my concerns to Him…He cares about me and my sweet family. Think I will order the book for my one daughter who is a believer. Thank you Donna for this blog. Come to Loudonville any time?
Philippians 4:6-7 has been my theme in soooo many situations as a mother of 5 and grandmother of 5. Life can throw so many situations at us that rip our eyes off of our heavenly Father. I love how in the midst of these moments he reminds me, if I can worry I can pray.
I come from a long line of worriers! This book will be great to pass along to the other women in my family 🙂 I have a few other of Cindi’s books, so I am sure this is a great one!
Timely for me. Thank you.
— Gina
Would love to share this book with a soon to be mama in my life!