Earlier today, I discovered this prayer in a “Healing and Hope” prayer book published by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. It may very well be the BEST prayer that I’ve ever seen on the subject of worry. If you’re worried about something, I recommend that you pray the following words from your heart. And if you’re someone who has a tendency to worry about lots of things, be sure to bookmark this page or print a copy. It’s really THAT good!
Why would a loving God allow bad things to happen?
Yesterday’s tragedy at the Boston Marathon certainly brings this question to the minds of many people. If God really loves us, why does He allow us to suffer? Why does He permit terrorism, child abuse and natural disasters to occur? While the brutally honest and truthful answer is that “He’s God and He knows what He’s doing”, there are a few specific points that can help us to better understand these tragedies. And, quite frankly, understanding them can often make the difference between moving closer to the Lord or turning our backs on Him.
Free Will – God loves us so much that He gives us the gift of free will. This means that while we are free to do good, we also have the ability to do evil. The person or persons who caused the explosions in Boston chose to commit an evil act. In no way did God cause this to happen. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC):
Angels and men, as intelligent and free creatures, have to journey toward their ultimate destinies by their free choice and preferential love. They can therefore go astray. Indeed, they have sinned. Thus has moral evil, incommensurably more harmful than physical evil, entered the world. God is in no way, directly or indirectly, the cause of moral evil. He permits it, however, because he respects the freedom of his creatures and, mysteriously, knows how to derive good from it. (CCC 311)
Greater Good – In his Letter To The Romans, St. Paul states that “We know that IN EVERYTHING God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, emphasis mine) Not just the good things, but the bad things too. How is it possible that good can result from the mutilation and murder of innocent people? While I don’t claim to understand all of God’s reasons, there are a few obvious ones that stand out. When tragedy occurs, we get to see people helping one another. Every time a tragedy takes place, there are numerous stories of heroism and genuine love of neighbor that emerge. We also see an increase in prayer. Many people who aren’t used to praying suddenly “hit their knees”. We’re also reminded of our mortality and how we’re not really in control of our own destiny.
In time we can discover that God in his almighty providence can bring a good from the consequences of an evil, even a moral evil, caused by his creatures: “It was not you”, said Joseph to his brothers, “who sent me here, but God. . . You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive.” From the greatest moral evil ever committed – the rejection and murder of God’s only Son, caused by the sins of all men – God, by his grace that “abounded all the more”,brought the greatest of goods: the glorification of Christ and our redemption. But for all that, evil never becomes a good. (CCC 312)
Trust – When tragic events occur, we are given an opportunity to trust God. It is during the dark times that we must truly “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). When skies are blue, it’s a lot easier for us to trust than during storms. However, storms often give us the best chance to grow closer to the Lord.
We firmly believe that God is master of the world and of its history. But the ways of his providence are often unknown to us. Only at the end, when our partial knowledge ceases, when we see God “face to face”, will we fully know the ways by which – even through the dramas of evil and sin – God has guided his creation to that definitive sabbath rest for which he created heaven and earth. (CCC 314)
An Invitation – When bad things happen, either in our own life or in the lives of others, we are invited to assist God in bringing good out of evil. We can do this by praying. Although the Lord doesn’t need our help, He allows us to help Him through the act of prayer.
Since Abraham, intercession – asking on behalf of another has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God’s mercy. In the age of the Church, Christian intercession participates in Christ’s, as an expression of the communion of saints. In intercession, he who prays looks “not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others,” even to the point of praying for those who do him harm. (CCC 2635)
Heaven – As much as we’d like it to be, this world is not perfect. Pain and suffering do exist. Accepting this will cause us to remain calm when these events occur. In addition, it will increase our desire for heaven, where there is NO PAIN AND SUFFERING!
We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do his will. In every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere “to the end” and to obtain the joy of heaven, as God’s eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ.
Although it’s not easy, it’s crucial for us to keep our eye on the Lord when “bad things” happen. Blaming Him for the suffering, although understandable, is neither accurate or wise. If we truly believe that He loves us, we should strive to see His goodness in everything. Doing so will bring us great peace, even in times of turmoil.
Whenever I give a talk on anxiety, I ask the audience if they know what phrase Blessed Pope John Paul II used three times in his first speech as Holy Father. Invariably, several people cry out…
“Be not afraid!”
Echoing a familiar Biblical theme, used several times by Jesus, the late Holy Father reminds us that God is in control. No matter what happens in our life, the Lord is right there beside us. While it can be a very comforting reminder, it is also really easy to forget…especially when change or suffering arises in our lives.
Today, many of us woke up to some shocking news. Our beloved Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI will resign on February 28. While this is certainly sad news for those of us who love and respect the Holy Father, it is also a time to put our trust in the words of Jesus to St. Peter, the first pope:
And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. (Mt 16:18)
In other words, we can relax because the Church isn’t going anywhere. We will get through this, just as we survived the death of Blessed John Paul II and every other pope before him. Now, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be sad. I have a deep love and respect for Pope Benedict and the Church has been blessed to have him as a leader. However, we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that the Church is guided by the Holy Spirit (Jn 16:13) who guides us to the truth.
I’m starting to see a lot of traffic on social media outlets, expressing unhappiness about what is sure to come in the mass media: mainly speculation on whether the new Holy Father will be “liberal” or “conservative”. The individuals who can be classified as “conservative” are hoping that the new pope will “straighten out the Church”. Those who consider themselves “liberal”, on the other hand, are praying for someone who will eliminate priestly celibacy and permit the ordination of women. Unfortunately, my friends, when we spend time dwelling on either of those positions, we can easily lose sight of a very important fact.
In two days, we enter into the holy season of Lent. This is a time given to us by the Church, to allow us to reflect our shortcomings and inordinate attachments and focus on moving closer to the Lord. There is not a day that goes by when I don’t sin in one way or another. Whether it’s by commission (doing things I shouldn’t do) or omission (not doing things I should do), I fall into this trap every single day. And, like it or not, I’m going to be judged for these sins one day. Even worse, I’m going to stand face to face with the Lord and try to explain why I let Him down so many times. Fortunately, Lent allows me to address some of my shortcomings and express remorse for them. It gives me a chance, with God’s grace, to become a better person. Right now, that has to be my main focus. None of us know if we will ever get to experience another Lent. It would be a shame to waste the opportunity!
Considering today’s news, it’s normal to feel sad and be concerned about the future of the Church, but don’t get carried away. My family and I pray for the Holy Father every day. This morning, my wife reminded our children that our prayers (and the prayers of all who pray for him daily) helped Pope Benedict to make this decision. He is a prayerful man and he is guided by the Holy Spirit. Continue to pray for him and for the Church and don’t forget to invoke the intercession of Our Lady, who was instrumental in praying for the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Church (Acts 1:14). In the meantime, let’s get ready to enter into Lent, mindful of the fact that it is a great opportunity for purification. If you’d like some company along the way, don’t forget that the Following The Truth Lenten Radio Retreat begins on Ash Wednesday. I’d love to have you join us!
As the author of a book on anxiety, I do a lot of speaking about the topic. As a result, I’ve met many people who are worried about lots of things. Somewhere near the top of the list are those who are struggling financially. Many people don’t know how they will pay their rent, buy food or pay their bills. Jesus has a clear message about this matter. It has nothing to do with financial irresponsibility or burying one’s head in the sand. Rather, it’s a reminder that we should place our trust in God’s providence. The road may be bumpy, there could be lots of twists and turns, but the Lord really does understand that we have material needs. Read this passage, over and over if necessary. In the meantime, keep praying and trust…
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6:25-33)
Although we’d rather not admit it, many of us worry (or are tempted to worry) each day of our lives. One of the reasons that we worry is that we sometimes feel we are facing our problems alone. Once we meet others who are dealing with similar problems, we usually feel better. Even more comforting is when we encounter someone who has survived the issue that is troubling us. As Catholics, much can be gained by studying the lives of the saints. Far from living easy lives, these men and women have struggled with many of the same anxiety producing problems experienced by you and I. Furthermore, we know that they’ve ended up we all want to go – Heaven! Are you anxious or worried? Do you have serious problems in your life? Here are 10 saints that you should get to know. We can learn A LOT from their lives.
1. Saint Dymphna – Many Catholics who are anxious are familiar with Saint Dymphna, the patroness of those afflicted with nervous disorders and anxiety. According to tradition, she was born in Ireland (in the 7th century) to a pagan father and a Christian mother. When Dymphna’s mother died, her distraught father traveled in vain searching for a new wife. Eventually he reached the unimaginable conclusion that he would take Dymphna as his wife! At the urging of a priest, she took flight and was ultimately located and murdered by her father. It’s easy to see the kind of emotional stress that this young girl was under and equally understandable to see why she became known as the patron saint of those who suffer from anxiety. Many miracles are reported to have taken place at her shrine in Belgium, located near the place of her death.
2. Saint Jude Thaddeus – If there’s one saint that Catholics turn to when all looks bleak, it’s Saint Jude Thaddeus. One of the twelve Apostles, he is known as the patron of hopeless cases. Although many are aware of Saint Jude’s reputation for providing assistance when all else fails, there is some confusion as to how he was chosen for that role. One of the most popular theories is that, due to the similarity of his name with that of fellow Apostle Judas, the faithful steered clear of devotion to him. As a result, devotion to him became something of a “lost cause”. He is available and willing to intercede for our most desperate intentions.
3. Saint Rita of Cascia – Born in 1381 in Italy, Saint Rita is known as the patroness of impossible cases. She was married to a man with a violent temper who abused and mistreated her. After eighteen years of marriage, her husband was murdered. One day Rita overheard her two sons plotting to avenge the death of their father. Fearing the loss of their souls, she prayed that her sons would avoid taking revenge on their father’s murderer. Suddenly, both of them took sick and died before any retaliation could take place. Although her prayers were answered in an unlikely manner, they were indeed answered and her sons were prevented from carrying out a grave offense.
4. Saint Padre Pio – With a motto such as “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry”, it’s easy to see why I included Saint Pio in this list. He was a firm believer in God’s providence and understood that worry was useless. Any time that we waste on worrying could be more productively spent in prayer. What should we pray for? One thing could be an increase in the theological virtue of hope, which allows us to believe that “all things work for the good” (Romans 8:28) and that the problems of this life are temporary. One day, along with Saint Pio, it will be possible for us to live in the problem-free paradise known as Heaven!
5. Saint Henry II – While at Monte Cassino in 1021, Saint Henry II (emperor of the Holy Roman Empire) became ill. Tradition has it that Saint Benedict then cured him by prayer. How common are miraculous cures? Maybe more common than we realize! We’re always quick to downplay God’s involvement in our lives, often referring to favorable outcomes as “luck”. In 1997, my wife and I were told that our twin girls would probably not be born alive. Today, Mary and Elizabeth are healthy 15 year old young ladies. Eileen and I (as well as many of the members of the medical staff) know that their survival was a miracle, the fruit of countless prayers. While they were assisted by numerous doctors and nurses, we believe that the Lord worked through these skilled individuals. God can (and does) still perform miracles…let’s give Him the chance!
6. Blessed Julian of Norwich – Although not technically a saint, Blessed Julian of Norwich is greatly revered by many Catholics. Although very little is known about her life, she is famous for a quote that has provided consolation to many throughout the years. Those of us who tend to be anxious sometimes look at the waves crashing around us and fail to see the Lord’s providence. Blessed Julian helps us to regain our focus and recall that God is ultimately in control. “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
7. Saint Vincentia Lopez – Canonized in 1975, Saint Vincentia Lopez was the foundress of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate for Domestic Service, a religious congregation dedicated to ministering to working girls. In a letter to her mother, she wrote: “Come and stay with us, and your ills will certainly mend. Imagination plays a large part in them, and here there are so many distractions that you will have no time to think.” I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. One of the best ways to stop worrying is to keep busy. If worry motivates you to do something, then it can be productive. If, on the other hand, all you’re doing is mulling over the bad things that could happen in your life, it’s time to take Saint Vincentia’s advice and get busy.
8. Saint Juan Diego – I decided to include Juan Diego in this list not because of anything that he said or did, but because of what was said to him. In December of 1531, the Blessed Mother appeared several times to this poor Aztec Indian in Mexico. His bishop was skeptical and asked for a sign. On December 11, Mary promised Juan that on the following day she would give him a sign that he could take to the bishop. The next day, his uncle became seriously ill and Saint Juan avoided meeting Mary as she had instructed him to do. Mary appeared to him and said, “Listen and be sure, my dear son, that I will protect you; do not be frightened or grieve, or let your heart be dismayed, however great the illness that you speak of. Am I not here? I, who am your Mother, and is not my help a refuge? Am I not of your kind? Do not be concerned about your uncle’s illness, for he is not going to die. Be assured, he is already well. Is there anything else you need?” Instead of worrying, have you discussed your problems with Mary? Why not? Just as she did with Saint Juan Diego, she is waiting to help you.
9. Pope Saint Leo the Great – Attila the Hun was a ruthless and powerful warrior who conquered many lands, including Austria and Germany. In 452, he set his sights on Italy and proceeded to successfully conquer several cities and was heading toward Rome. Attila boasted that conquering Rome would be his greatest victory. Standing firm in the face of enormous odds, Pope Saint Leo the Great met Attila and his army near Mantua and convinced the tyrant to change his plans and turn back. Rome was spared. According to tradition, when Attila was asked why he backed down so easily, he noted that while the Holy Father spoke, he saw a vision of Saint Peter holding a sword in his hand. This frightened the ruthless Hun and caused him to change his plans.
10. Saint Stephen Harding – Born in England in the 11th century, Saint Stephen Harding was educated at the Sherborne Abbey and eventually became a monk at the Abbey of Molesme in Burgundy. Feeling that the Lord was calling him to found a monastery, he did just that. In 1098, along with twenty other monks, St. Stephen founded a monastery at Citeaux. They lived a simple life, in accordance with the Rule of Saint Benedict. Eventually, Saint Stephen was elected abbot. As the monks began to die off, they were not being replaced by novices and their numbers began to dwindle. Just as it seemed the monastery would be forced to close, guess who showed up at the door? Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, along with 30 companions who were looking to join a monastery! During the next 8 years, a dozen new houses had to be built in order to house the many new monks who joined the order. This story serves as a reminder that God does provide, although he operates according to His own schedule. Sometimes He allows us to walk in the darkness in order to strengthen our faith. God will never give up on us…don’t make the mistake of giving up on Him!
In addition to being inspired by their lives, these saints can help us in another important way. As residents of Heaven, they can intercede on our behalf and help us to obtain the graces we need to deal with our problems. They have all “been there, done that” and know what it’s like to experience difficulties. They also know what it’s like to live in eternal happiness and are more than willing to do what they can to ensure that we too experience that joy. Don’t make the mistake of facing your problems alone. Turn to your heavenly friends and ask for their help today!
As I write this from New Jersey, Hurricane Sandy is on the way to our area. According to the forecasts, the rain and winds could wreak havoc all along the East Coast. Understandably, my initial reaction was to feel uncomfortable due to the fact that I was not “in control”. After praying, reading the Bible and visiting the adoration chapel, however, I started to feel an unexpected emotion – gratitude for the “storms” in my life.
I know it sounds crazy, but here’s what I realized – If everything in my life is always going great and I’m not facing any problems, I sometimes don’t feel too dependent on God. To give you an example, now that I’m working full time for the Lord, I’m a lot more conscious of the petition “give us this day our daily bread” (in the Lord’s prayer) than I was when I had a job that paid six figures! While I’m not proud to admit it, I’m one of those people who has a tendency to lapse into spiritual laziness when there are no storms in my life. I suspect that I’m not alone.
Our fallen human nature and limited vision often makes us lose sight of the big picture. What exactly is that big picture? That our every breath is willed by God and He sustains our existence. Just as the Israelites forgot about Him time and time again, we also tend to forget about the Lord when skies are blue. When problems arise and we start to feel threatened, however, it doesn’t take us very long to hit our knees. And because He is kind and merciful, the Lord is always willing to take us back.
Furthermore, without the “storms” of uncertainty in our lives, it wouldn’t be possible for us to practice our faith. For faith is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1) Believing in the sure things of life doesn’t require any faith. On the other hand, believing when things look bleak definitely requires faith. The Lord wants us to remember that He is an “eternal rock” (Is 26:4) and is always there for us, especially when we are being battered by waves.
If, like me, you are in the path of Hurricane Sandy or if you have your own personal “storms” raging around you, take advantage of the opportunity to trust in the Lord’s providence. He loves us and will always do what’s best for us. Although it may involve suffering, whatever happens will help us to one day arrive in Heaven. That should help even the most hardened worrier be thankful for “storms”!
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He delivered them from their distress; He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. (Psalm 107:28-29)
“When anything disagreeable happens, remember it comes from God and say at once, ‘This comes from God’ and be at peace.” (St. Alphonsus Liguori)
As the author of A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible, I often speak about fear. When I give my “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry” talk at parishes, I meet many people who are chronic worriers and want to know how to stop. Fortunately, the answer to this question is simple. There is a very basic reason why we worry. The good news is that, although it requires work on our part, the battle against anxiety is definitely winnable.
The answer to fear is faith. When we worry, it’s because we don’t trust in God’s providence. If we truly believed that “everything works for good for those who love God” (Rom 8:28), then even a job loss, cancer diagnosis or the sudden death of a spouse would not rattle us. Why? Because we would believe that everything that happens in our life is for our best. In his book, Uniformity With God’s Will, St. Alphonsus Liguori states that God only wills our good and that if we encounter suffering, it will help us to achieve eternal life. Accepting that fact will bring us great peace. Many illustrations of this way of thinking can be found in the pages of the Bible. When encouraged by his wife to curse God because of the negative things happening to him, Job proclaimed, “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10) Saint Paul not only embodies this philosophy, but points out the redemptive power of suffering with his proclamation, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His Body, that is, the Church.” (Col 1:24) While in no way is Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary lacking, He allows us (as part of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church) to assist Him in His redemptive mission by uniting our suffering with His.
So what’s the solution to anxiety? If fear is caused by lack of faith, how can we correct the problem? Furthermore, doesn’t the knowledge that our faith is weak cause even more anxiety? Here’s what we have to remember. When we were baptized, we received the three theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. We have to do our part to ensure that these virtues grow stronger each day. How is that accomplished? Through prayer, reading the Bible, receiving the Sacraments and by asking for an increase in these virtues each day. When was the last time you asked the Lord to increase your faith? If you’re anxious about your life, make it a point to do it today. And if you’re at a loss for words, I recommend that you borrow the words from the father of the boy with an unclean spirit:
“I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
Last week, I was speaking to my good friend, mentor and fellow Catholic Evangelist Richard Lane. As is usually the case when I speak with Richard, I was feeling energized and inspired when I hung up the phone. In particular, he told me a neat story about the importance of “not looking back” once you commit your life to Christ. A few days later, I was listening to the radio and I heard the exact story. Considering that I’ve never heard the saga in my 50+ years, I assumed that there is a reason I heard it two times in a week.
The story involves Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and his arrival in Mexico in 1519. Along with 600 men (none of whom had protective armor), Cortes prepared to conquer the land that for the past 600 years had been unconquerable. As they marched inland to battle their enemies, the conquistador uttered 3 shocking words to his soldiers:
“Burn the boats!”
This radical command left this Spanish soldiers with only two choices: emerge victorious or die! The lack of an exit strategy caused these outnumbered warriors to fight as if their lives were at stake…and they were! As a result, Cortes became the first man in 600 years to conquer Mexico.
While it’s a great history lesson, what does it have to do with our faith? In reality, it has EVERYTHING to do with it! One of the costliest mistakes that we make as followers of Christ is failing to “burn our boats”. Although we profess to follow the Lord, we often have a tendency to “look backward” and hold back a bit. We’re afraid that if we get too close to Him, we might have to suffer excessively. We’re nervous about giving too much to charitable causes because we might “need that money one day”. We fail to expect miracles when we pray and often pray for “safe things” in order to avoid disappointment. While we want to be called Christians, we’re sometimes unwilling to speak out and defend our faith when necessary. If we say too much, people might not like us or think we’re strange. By holding back in these ways, we never really FULLY commit our lives to Jesus and always entertain the possibility of reboarding our boats if the Christian life becomes too challenging. What did the Lord say about this?
As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding
on their journey, someone said to him,
“I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus answered him,
“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
And to another he said, “Follow me.”
But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”
But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead.
But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.”
And another said, “I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home.”
Jesus answered him, “No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:57-62)
Once we make the decision to truly follow Christ, there can be no turning back. Even though we’ll be tempted to backslide and “take the easy way out”, we have to remain firm and not look to the past. We all have “boats” or “safety nets” in our lives…those tendencies, possessions or attitudes which hold us back from following the Lord as fully as possible. If we truly expect to be “fit for the Kingdom of God”, we must cease looking at what was left behind and start looking at what lies ahead.
Have you identified your “boat”? Once you do, burn it and remember that when it comes to following Christ and one day living with Him in Heaven, failure CANNOT be an option!
For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Sure, we’ve all heard the Bible verse and sang the words at Mass, but how often can we say that we live our lives according to this principal? Like many other people, I claim to have faith and believe that God can do miracles…until one of my family members gets a serious illness or I don’t know how I’ll pay the monthly bills. Sadly, when these events occur my faith sometimes goes “out the window” and I do something completely useless…panic!
As the author of A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible (50 Verses To Ease Anxieties), you’d probably think that I’m someone who has never worried or who has declared victory over anxiety. Not even close! I have been a worrier all of my life and I STILL fight the battle every day. Most times that a crisis pops up in my life, my first instinct is to worry. The good news is that my second instinct is to pray! The even better news is that, at this point in my life, sometimes my FIRST reaction is to pray. Although I still have a long way to go, that is a BIG improvement for me!
So how does one go from worrier to (prayer) warrior? Quite simply, my friends, it’s all about faith. If your faith is strong enough, you’ll walk by that faith and not by sight. Your eyes will be so focused on the Lord and His promises that you won’t even see the waves crashing around you. Since faith is a supernatural gift, however, we can’t just increase it on our own. Therefore, we have to turn to God and ask for help. When dealing with a “storm” in your life, crying out, “Lord, please increase my faith!” is an extremely powerful prayer and is a lot more effective than worrying!
In addition to allowing us to pray to Him when we’re anxious, the Lord also wants to speak directly to us. One of the best ways to hear Him is by opening up the Bible. When I was writing my book, I created a spreadsheet with Bible verses that could be used to combat anxiety. I would often sit in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament reading and re-reading these verses. Although my primary goal was to decide which verses should be included in the book, I received an unexpected blessing…I began to feel peace, even in the midst of my problems!
Here’s a verse to get you started. If you’re worried about something, open up your Bible and read (and re-read) this verse. While there’s no guarantee that your problems will disappear, you will eventually feel a peace that is not of this world. If you don’t feel peaceful right away, keep reading. Jesus is extending His hand and is speaking these words directly to you…
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
“Let not your hearts be troubled.” (John 14:1)
Easy for Him to say, right? If you’re someone who has a tendency to worry, even the words of Jesus aren’t enough to allow you to remain calm in the midst of a crisis. Is it really possible for those of us who are habitual worriers to “let not our hearts be troubled”? After years of torturing myself, I’ve discovered that not only is it possible, but by following 5 simple steps, you can experience peace in your life TODAY!
Oh sure, I know what you’re thinking…I’m probably someone who never worried a day in my life. It’s easy for me to talk about being peaceful because I’m one of those people who breezes through life without a care in the world. WRONG! I can assure you that I have a plaque in the Worrier’s Hall of Fame. There’s a reason that I’m the author of A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible! Throughout my life, I have a history of worrying about things that are happening, things that could happen and things that have the possibility of happening if the things that I’m worrying about happening do actually happen. In other words, I can worry with the best of them IF I let myself. However, I no longer let myself worry (well, maybe for a minute or two 
) The first step to breaking the worrying habit involves some behavior modification. The minute you find yourself firing up the “worrying engine”, try the following steps and see what happens. Incidentally, to give my advice a little more credibility, I’ve included some supporting comments from a well-known figure, who knows a little more about this subject than I do!
1. Focus On Today – One of the big mistakes that “professional” worriers make is looking too far into the future. When my father was diagnosed with cancer several years ago, I made a decision to enjoy each of our remaining days together and not focus on the future. Even though he died suddenly one month later, we had a peaceful and memorable experience during those thirty days. When my wife and I were told that our now 14 year old twins, Mary and Elizabeth, would probably not be born alive, we learned to thank God for each day that they survived. We didn’t dwell on the uncertainty of the future. As a result, we experienced peace in the midst of a traumatic situation.
Jesus’ Advice: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” (Matthew 6:34)
2. Don’t Worry About “What If’s” – What if my husband gets sick and we can’t afford our mortgage and then we’ll have to sell our house which will be impossible because of the real estate market, etc. Although this scenario can create much anxiety, it is a completely imaginary situation. None of these events have taken place, but yet we often worry about what will happen IF they occur. The reason that these problems seem so insurmountable is because God doesn’t give us the grace to deal with imaginary problems. You can be sure that if any of these problems did exist in your life, the Lord would provide you with all the grace needed to cope with the situation.
Jesus’ Advice: “And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:27)
3. Pray – Despite our claims to the contrary, worrying involves making a conscious decision. We have to decide that we’re going to worry. Although this decision can be almost involuntary, we still have the ability to choose to NOT worry. One of the easiest ways to stop worrying is to choose something else in it’s place. Whenever you feel the desire to worry, why not choose to pray instead? Unlike worrying (which is useless), prayer is ALWAYS effective. Even though all of your problems may not disappear, you will always receive the grace needed to deal with them. As a result, you will be able to experience the Lord’s peace while you are carrying your cross. If you’re struggling, ask the Lord for help!
Jesus’ Advice: “Ask and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10)
4. Let Jesus Speak To You Through Scripture – One of the biggest mistakes that we can make is to treat the Bible as an ordinary book. Although it may look like a book, it is so much more. When we open up the pages of Sacred Scripture, we can actually hear Jesus speaking directly to us. All of us, no matter what we are going though, have the ability to open up the Bible. DO IT! Jesus will take care of the rest!
Jesus’ Advice: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
5. Keep Your Eye On the Prize – No matter how much you are suffering and how many difficulties you are facing in your life, they will one day pass. Although it may not seem like it, all of our problems will one day come to an end once we depart from this life. Saint Paul assures us that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). The next life will not only be better, it’s “not even worth comparing”! When you don’t think you can make it through another day, let this be your focus.
Jesus’ Advice: “So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” (John 16:22)
I’ve never met a single person who enjoyed being anxious. We all strive for peace in our lives, but often fall victim to excessive worry. I guarantee that if you try these steps today, you will instantly feel some degree of peace in your life. If you keep repeating them each day, that peace will grow stronger. In the meantime, I’ll be praying for each of you every day.
A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible (50 Verses To Ease Anxieties) by Gary Zimak (with Foreword by Teresa Tomeo) is now available for preorder here.
