Worry Is an Irritant
Worry is as insidious as an acid. If applied consistently, it erodes the vitality of nerve cells. Such acute cases evidence themselves by a person becoming shaky.
The mind is like an incredibly proficient machine. If properly cared for, it can produce amazing feats. Worry hinders its miracle work.
Testimony as to the effect of worry has been given by Dr. W. C. Alvarez, a stomach specialist at the Mayo Clinic. He concluded that 80 percent of the stomach disorders he treats are not organic, but functional. Wrong mental attitudes and improper spiritual outlooks cause functional disturbances in the digestive system. He concludes that faith is more important than food in curing most stomach ulcers.
A smorgasbord of worry controlling truth is the Bible. Program your mind with Bible refreshing reassurances.
A compendium of concepts worth cultivating and others which merit culling is found in Psalm 37. The following extracts from that treasure trove of truth are a good starting point for readjusting your mental attitude.
“Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.”
Having read this passage, now go back and study it. Evaluate it. Do you believe it? If so, in applying it you will find victory over worry. A careful analysis of the passage will reveal that most of the things worried about are included as items to be excluded from your thought patterns.
Such passages as the above can afford an oasis in the desert of worry. Like a person dying of thirst in a dry, barren wasteland, drink deeply of it.
During World War II, President Harry Truman was asked, “How can you bear up so calmly under the strain and stress of the presidency?”
With typical Truman candor, he replied, “I have a foxhole in my mind. Just as a soldier retreats into his foxhole for protection and respite, I periodically retire into my mental foxhole where I allow nothing to bother me.”
Each of us must have the equivalent of our own “foxhole” to survive the spiritual warfare in which we are engaged. God’s Word is such a place. Go there often with the Lord as your guide.
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119: 11) Memorize Scripture in order to have it readily handy.