There's an article in "Forbes Magazine". It says, "The more we use social media, the less happy we seem to be. Multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media use and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, even suicidal thoughts and an intense craving for drugs and alcohol".
Let's look at Matthew chapter 6, starting in verse 25: "I say to you do not worry about everyday life, whether you have enough food and drink, or clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you more valuable to him than they are? Can you with all of your worries add a single moment to your life? Why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all of his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
The best antidote to worry is prayer. We all know this verse, Philippians verse 6: "Don't be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer, with petition and thanksgiving, present your request to God". I love that. Another way it's translated: "Don't worry about anything. Pray about everything, and the peace of God that passes all human understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus".
I love that phrase "guard" because it suggests a Roman sentry, like a centurion, guarding the door of your heart. God's peace will protect you if you pray about it instead of worry about it.
So turn your panic into prayer, turn your worry into worship. Turn your anxieties into petitions.
You can pray now, "Lord, I'm troubled by this right now and I just commit it to you. I'm overwhelmed by this other thing. Lord, I commit it to you".
God is more powerful than sin, anxiety, pandemics, worry, and evil sinful thoughts!
Take everything to God in prayer! He is near and He is close to the broken-hearted!
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