The Power of Worrying

(Compiled by Robert H. Roberts to supplement his personal spiritual journey.)

Death was walking toward a city one morning and a man asked, "What are you going to do?"

''I'm going to take 100 people." Death replied.

"That's horrible!" the man said.

"That's the way it is." Death said.

''Well, we'll see about that," said the man as he hurried to warn everyone he could about Death's plan.

As evening fell, he met Death again.

"You told me you were going to take 100 people," the man said. "Why did 1,000 die?"

"I kept my word," Death responded. "I only took 100 people. Worry took the others."

This interesting tale portrays so well what the National Mental Health Committee reported a few years ago -- Half of all the people in America's hospital beds are constant worriers. Mental distress can lead to migraine headaches, arthritis, heart trouble, cystitis, colitis, backaches, ulcers, depression, digestive disorders and yes, even death. Add to that list the mental fatigue of nights without sleep and days without peace, and then we get a glimpse of the havoc worry plays in destroying the quality and quantity of life.

Release the regrets of yesterday, refuse the fears of tomorrow and receive instead, the peace of today. Yes, my friend, simply let go and let God. Live this, and be eternally blessed. (Author Unknown)

''And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:16-18)

''Do not be anxious (worried) about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.'' Phil. 4:6-8 =================

Here are a few Bible vitamins to help combat things like worry. Unlike most of the vitamin suppliments merchandised these days, these are all free for the taking. :-)

Bible Vitamins

Anxious? Take Vitamin A. All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)

Blue? Take Vitamin B. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. (Ps 103:1)

Crushed? Take Vitamin C. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. (1 Pet 5:7)

Depressed? Take Vitamin D. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (Jas 4:8)

Empty? Take Vitamin E. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. (Ps 100:4)

Fearful? Take Vitamin F. Fear not, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God. (Isa 41:10)

Greedy? Take Vitamin G. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put unto your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. (Lk 6:38)

Hesitant? Take Vitamin H. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." (Isa 52:7)

Insecure? Take Vitamin I. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)

Jittery? Take Vitamin J. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb 13:8)

Know nothing? Take Vitamin K. Know this that the Lord is God, it is He that made us and not we ourselves. (Ps 100:3)

Lonely? Take Vitamin L. Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Mt 28:20)

Mortgaged? Take Vitamin M. My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor 12:9)

Nervous? Take Vitamin N. Never, no never will I leave you nor forsake you. (Heb 13:5)

Overwhelmed? Take Vitamin O. Overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:21)

Perplexed or puzzled? Take Vitamin P. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

Quitting? Take Vitamin Q. Quit you like men and women, be strong. (1 Cor 16:13)

Restless? Take Vitamin R. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. (Ps 37:7)

Scared? Take Vitamin S. Stay with me, and do not be afraid; for the one who seeks my life seeks your life; you will be safe with me. (1 Sam 22:23)

Tired? Take Vitamin T. Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isa 40:31)

Uncertain? Take Vitamin U. Understand that I am (the Lord). Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. (Isa 43:10)

Vain? Take Vitamin V. Vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. (Acts 5:16)

Wondering what to do? Take Vitamin W. What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Mic 6:8)

Exhausted? Take Vitamin X. Exercise thyself rather unto godliness. (1 Tim 4:7)

Yearning for hope? Take Vitamin Y. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you art with me; your rod and your staff - they comfort me. (Ps 23:4)

Zapped? Take Vitamin Z. Zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:14)