If all our worries came true, we would be pretty miserable. Most things we worry about never happen. Studies show that at least 91% of people’s worries don’t occur.
Worry affects our minds and bodies negatively, including stomach issues, headaches, and insomnia. It also interferes with our concentration.
Yet, we worry. Our propensity is to think the worst, and we have an enemy, Satan, who exploits our worry, especially around 3:00 am.

There is a better way to think. What if we asked God to create life-giving perspectives in our minds? We need His help to write redemptive narratives for our stories.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
I’ve been remembering events that turned out well: When my mammogram was repeated several times, just to be sure, and ended with an excellent result. The times my daughter reached her destination after a long trip over the ocean and my husband arrived safely after a late-night trip I didn’t want him to make. When I almost got hit by a car that ran a red light. The times I’ve tripped on a broken sidewalk but didn’t fall. I was driving after dark when I narrowly missed someone walking on the road.
I could go on…
Potential danger is everywhere. How often are we protected daily? I imagine an angel snatching me from harm.

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
Psalm 91:12
If we could see from heaven’s perspective, we’d be amazed at how often God has protected us.
I complained to myself as I headed back to my dermatologist’s office. It would be another occasion of digging out the basal cell cancers from my body. My skin produces excessive spots that need to be removed. The procedure is uncomfortable and they are painful as they heal. As I waited for my name to be called, It hit me that my thinking was wrong. “I’m so sorry for complaining, Lord! Thank you for a wonderful, knowledgeable doctor. Thank you, that I have a highly treatable skin condition. I’m grateful it’s not another type of cancer.”
I walked into the room with an improved attitude. I could improve other scenarios as well.
How do we react when the bad thing we worried about doesn’t happen? What if we’d be more aware of the good news we received or the danger we avoided? Could we learn to spend our days thanking God more and worrying less?

I don’t mean to paint an unrealistic picture or sugarcoat our lives. Living simultaneously in two worlds brings tension. We desire to live under God’s kingdom laws, but we inhabit a universe filled with pain and death. We can’t avoid it. Bad things happen to us. Scripture reminds us of this.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
An odd truth about the pain we desperately want to avoid is that God uses it for good. Sickness and hardship may test our faith, but when we have a rich, intimate relationship with Jesus, we will grow closer to Him and become more like Him in character.
Without pain and hardship, we wouldn’t realize how blessed we are. Our most arduous experiences illuminate the light of God’s faithfulness.
Above all His earthly blessings, He gave us Himself. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, our sin debt was paid, and we joyfully anticipate eternal life with Him.
What if the bad thing doesn’t happen? Thank God! Gratefulness brings us joy. Let’s crowd out our worry about what could happen, by thanking God for our blessings. The cheerful heart has a continual feast, as we read in Proverbs 15:15.
For He has, in the last resort, nothing to give but Himself, and He can give that only insofar as our self-affirming will retires and makes room for Him in our souls.
C. S. Lewis

4 Comments
Another great post, Myra👍🏻🙌
Thank you Ginny!
What a great reminder! So true! Love that kadt quote from C.S. Lewis
Thank you Ellen. I love C.S. Lewis!