How not to worry is a struggle I’ve had for my whole life. But recently I’ve made some observations and come to some conclusions that helped me to grow stronger in this area - that have really guided me down the path of finding the solution of how not to worry about everything under the sun.

If there is one thing I’ve been known for is that I’m a worrier. I can worry with the best of them. If you look up worry in the dictionary, there’s a picture of me. I don’t know if this is hereditary, or just learned, but my mom was always a worrier. Maybe that’s where I got it from; I don’t know. But I do know I worry a lot, and I also know something else: it never did me one ounce of good.

First of all, all the worrying in the world is not going to change the outcome of something. I used to worry about my kids being safe on their way to school. Of course, I set up rules and provisions to try to keep them safe; I told them not to talk to any strangers, and made sure they didn’t walk alone. I was a proactive parent, and I did what was considered advisable to keep them safe.

But the bottom line is, as soon as they leave the house something could happen to them. They could get hit by a car. They could slip on ice and break their arm. They could get to the corner and take a right instead of a left. And I couldn’t do anything about it, and all my worrying wouldn’t change that at all!

So after 5 kids growing up and walking and walking and walking both to and from school and nothing happening, I think I am getting the picture. My worrying does not change the outcome. So this got me to thinking.

I tend to worry about things that never will happen anyway. So I am looking at things differently. Meaning I decide what are the odds that this could really happen and if it is high then I give it some credence and do still worry. Once when one of my boys had a chance to get an airplane ride for memorizing bible verses in Sunday school, I got to try this theory. The teacher of Sunday School was also the pilot and he knew how to fly that plane. Yes it was dangerous but I determined that the odds of crashing were very low, so I only worried a little bit. (I did mention that I am a recovering worrier, right?)

Lastly, worrying can actually bring on problems. I’ve been self-employed for over 20 years. When you’re self-employed, you know that every month can be an adventure, as far as income goes. There are no guarantees. Well, one of my biggest worries is money. It can be so bad that it can immobilize me - I can spend way to much time fretting about paying the bills, and organizing my Quickbooks, and not near enough time actually working to bring in money. The worrying can overwhelm me and bring about the problem that I’m worrying about. This isn’t good or necessary.

My wife and I have found a solution to this income worrying issue. She now pays the bills as she doesn’t seem to be as big of a worrier. And it also gives me back the time I was worrying to work so we can bring in the money.

Try these 3 ways to not worry and enjoy freedom from worry like you have never known. Keep in my the Bible does say “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.