This week, in lieu of pew notes, James presented this “12-step program” for overcoming worry in the lives of Christians. This material is adapted from Twelve Steps To Overcoming Worry byArchibald Hart, Overcoming Anxiety, pages 29 and 30.

  1. Admit that you are a worrier and that you are powerless to overcome worry entirely on your own strength.
  2. Believe that God through Christ is able to help you overcome worry.
  3. Turn your life over to God.
  4. Make a list of everything that worries you.
  5. Find someone you can talk to about your worries.
  6. Be willing to “let go” of your worries.
  7. Trust God to give you the courage you need to take Action and abandon the safety and comfort of your worry.
  8. Review all your past worries and see how they never came to pass.
  9. If anything you worried about in the past actually did happen, and was devastating to you, ask yourself what you could have done to avoid it.
  10. Continue to take personal responsibility for your life.
  11. Spend a part of each day strengthening your personal relationship with God.
  12. At the end of each day, take a few moments to review the accomplishments of your day.

Jesus teaches us that worry is useless-it’s baggage that hinders us in our pursuit of God. Listen to this wise counsel and learn to overcome worry!