Dr Mayo on worry 

‘Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything.’ Philippians 4:6 AMPC 

Worry is like a rocking chair; it uses up all your energy but where does it get you? Leo Buscaglia writes, ‘Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.’ He’s right! Dr Charles Mayo of the famous Mayo Clinic says, ‘There’s a growing mountain of evidence to suggest that worry is the chief contributor to depression, nervous breakdowns, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and early death. Stress kills. I’ve never known a man to die from hard work, but I’ve known a lot who died from worry.’ Mathematically speaking, it doesn’t make sense to worry. Psychologists tell us that roughly 30 per cent of what we worry about never happens; another 30 per cent has already happened; 12 per cent is about unfounded health concerns, and an additional 20 per cent involves worrying about the little things. That leaves only eight per cent. Think about that! We worry 92 per cent of the time for no good reason at all, and if Dr Mayo is right, it’s killing us. What’s the answer? Listen: ‘Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honourable and right and pure and beautiful and respected...And the God who gives peace will be with you’ (Philippians 4:6-9 NCV). That’s God’s answer to worry! 

Prayer Point:

Father, I so crave peace in my life, when so much is in turmoil. Help me to meditate on Your Word today and create an oasis of peace within me. I pray that Your Holy Spirit would come and dwell in my life and slowly build up my ability to handle the pressure I feel under. You are Lord over every circumstance; I submit my life to You today. Amen. 

Acknowledgements: Ziglar, Zig, Something to Smile About: Encouragement and Inspiration for Life’s Ups and Downs (Thomas Nelson, 1997), 11.