As I prepared for surgery last week, I had some moments of worry. I wasn’t worried about where I go when I die- that is settled. But true anxious worry just not knowing what would happen.

I spent some time studying worry and learning so many things but one thing I learned most of all. Telling yourself you shouldn’t worry doesn’t work! It just doesn’t.

Worry isn’t rational.

Worry isn’t logical.

Worry just takes your mind and heart and tears you to pieces from the inside out.

But what is the solution? What is the antidote to worry?

As I lay on my gurney waiting to be rolled in for the block on my knee to cause the foot surgery not to hurt along with bone grafts and such, I came across some verses. There is a difference between reminding yourself of the promises of God and quoting Scripture. Reading scripture. There’s power in the Word.

So, I came across some verses about being strong in the Lord. I read them once. Read them again. Read them more. I meditated.

As I meditated, my heart changed. My worry lessened and I came to peace. Then, later as I tried to “recycle my worry” I again came back to God’s Word. And later, I again came back to God’s Word.

There is no recipe. No checklist. No guilt-giving worry-producing formula I can give you. Isaiah 26:3 says,

"You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You."

Who do you trust?

Bible verses aren’t a magic trick.

If I know someone, I’m more likely to trust them. How can you trust someone you don’t know?

If the thought of trusting a God you can’t see and don’t know is foreign to you, check out thisisthegospel.com – it has a great explanation about how you can know and trust God.

How I Have Overcome Worry in My Life

Staying on God. Staying on His Word. I’m not here to make you feel guilty but as one who has struggled with worry, I know this. The only time I’ve personally overcome worry has been when I have fought with the Word of God. Memorizing. Reading. Meditating. When God’s word has more of my mind than the worried thoughts, the tide turns, and peace returns.

Doesn’t that make sense? Fill your belly with sour milk and you get sick. Fill your belly with good nourishing foods, and your whole body benefits.

So, here’s some food for your soul.

Verses of Encouragement to Be Strong

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.”

Joshua 10:25

David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. 

1 Chronicles 28:20

Be strong, and let’s show ourselves courageous for the benefit of our people and the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight.”

1 Chronicles 19:13

“Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the One with us is greater than the one with him.

2 Chronicles 32:7

Be strong! Let’s prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the Lord’s will be done.

2 Samuel 10:12

Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged.

1 Chronicles 22:13b

Get up, for this matter is your responsibility, and we support you. Be strong and take action!

Ezra 10:4

Wait for the Lord; be strong and courageous. Wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:14

Be strong, and let your heart be courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.

Psalm 31:24

With flattery he will corrupt those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action.

Daniel 11:32

Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts…

Haggai 2:4b

This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says: “Be strong, you who are hearing these words today. The prophets spoke these words when the foundation was laid for the building of the Temple.

Zechariah 8:9

Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1

What’s next?

Here are some more ideas about how to take your worry reduction to the next level.

Pray.

Now, take some time to look up verses in your concordance. Don’t just pull a verse here or there but go back to these verses and look at the context of what was happening. what were the circumstances people found themselves in?

Journal or note what you learn.

Write index cards with verses helping you with worry.

Talk to a friend about encouraging verses that have helped. (Don’t focus on worry or how you’ve worried. You’re giving more room for worry, right?)

Read biographies of people who have overcome great obstacles and see how they overcame.

Listen to sermons from reputable ministers about overcoming worry and how you can be encouraged.

Study words like courageous and strong and encouragement.

Pray.