I firmly believe that when we have problems, we must not worry, but we also need to continue doing the things we know to do. For example, if you have commitments, be sure that you keep them. Quite often when people are encountering personal problems they withdraw from normal life and spend all their time trying to solve the problem. They talk about their problems to anyone who will listen and worry continually. All of this unproductive activity prevents them from doing what they should be doing, which is “doing well.”
Psalm 37:3 says that we should trust in the Lord and do good and we will feed on His faithfulness. I have discovered that if I continue my study of God’s Word, continue praying, keep my commitments, and help as many people as I can, I experience breakthrough much faster. Helping others while we are hurting is actually a very powerful thing to do. It keeps your mind off of you and your problem, and you are sowing seed that ultimately brings a harvest. Sinking into self-pity, worrying, being anxious and speaking negatively prevent God from helping us, but trusting Him and continuing to do good releases Him to work mightily.
We may know it is wrong to worry and yet continue worrying. We must realize that none of God’s promises work for us until we actually obey His Word. Knowledge alone won’t solve your problems; you must take action to be obedient no matter how you feel. You might not feel like keeping a commitment or doing something to help someone else, but do it anyway.
God’s Word Teaches Us to Show Love at All Times
We must not use our personal problems as an excuse to be grouchy and unloving with other people.
Always remember that we overcome evil with good (see Romans 12:21). So my advice is to trust God and do good, do good, and do good!
In the Bible Paul shares how even though he was suffering he was persuaded that God would take care of those things that he had entrusted to Him. Paul gave his problems to God and refused to worry. He encouraged the people to hold fast to what they had learned and to guard and keep the precious truth that had been entrusted to them by the Holy Spirit (see 2 Timothy 1:12–14). In other words, Paul said that we should trust God and keep doing what we know to do during hard times. The obedient person always experiences victory in the end. My simple formula for victory is trust God, don’t worry, do good, and keep meditating on and confessing God’s Word because it is the sword of the Spirit. With that sword, you will defeat Satan.
Many resources are available to help you find the Scriptures you need to meditate on and confess, including my book The Secret Power of Speaking God’s Word, and the section titled “The Word for Your Everyday Life” in The Everyday Life Bible.
Think about It
What specific verses or passages from God’s Word will you meditate on to help you stop worrying? What commitments will you keep even though you might not feel like doing so? Who do you know that you can help so you are “doing good” during your challenging times?
