Check Out Our Blog-o-Versary Candy! Worksheet: How to Stop Worrying!

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Hi Friends~

I hope that you have had time to read the last post.  It is from an article from Discipleship Journal, 2003...and what a timeless message it had about worrying.  Today, I will include the worksheet to work through our worries following His Word.  It is so valuable to me!  I hope it will be to you also.

We will also find who will win the "Card of the Week!"  I would like to take a moment to apologize to all of the recent winners.  I apologize for falling behind, yet again, in getting your cards, and Mary, your CD out to you.  It is a weakness that I must overcome.  I sincerely apologize for my lack of being responsible in this part of my life, and I thank each of you.  Not one of you has written complaining.  That says a lot about who you are in Christ. Thank you for your patience.  I will get everything out before I leave for my trip on Friday.

Let's do this part now...

The Winner of the He IS Able Card of the Week is...

the person who left this comment:

She/He said:  "I ran across this page today, I believe God knew I was lost in my crafting life and that's why i ended up here, thank you for a great giveaway and spiritual site."

I have her/his email and will contact her that way...I do not have a name though.  Congratulations! Thank you, dear guest for your beautiful comment.  We hope that you will be fed spiritually, here as well as other places.  We have many activities.  I will let you know about our Bible Study and Prayer Team and other ways you can participate int he blog, when I email you!  You have 'till Tuesday at 8pm to contact me with your mailing address...please email it.  My email is on the side bar.  If you do not contact me with that in time, this beautiful card will go back into the He IS Able blog card stash for another time.

I have one more thing to share before I share the worksheet that works so wonderfully with Mr. Mike Bechtle's article that was posted earlier in the week.  Today, I was chosen to be the CASE'd artist over at Christian Paper Crafts, CPC.  I am so honored to be chosen, as people choose a card in my gallery, and remake them with some changes.  It is a wonderful group of women over there...and I can't wait to see what changes they make to my cards.  I can't wait to CASE their CASE'd cards!  LOL  Here is the link if you are interested in seeing their beautiful work or in joining in their many challenges! Just click here.

OK--here is the hand-out you have been waiting for...and that I think is amazing help to end our worries the way God wants us to! 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. 
 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 
 Philippians 4:6-7

In the article we found that Mr. Bechtle found that Philippians 4:6-7 told him what not to do; and Verses 8 and 9 told him what to do instead.

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from ME, or seen in Me--put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4:8-9

 OK--I wanted to repeat that part of the article for the worksheet to make sense.  I would make several copies of it...or one and laminate it. You will want to do your writing on a separate sheet, however. There is not enough space to leave a lot of room here on the blog. I think this is a wonderful tool to use with teenagers, too...they have many more concerns than many adults believe. It could teach them how to end their worrying using God's Word.  Just an idea.  This Worksheet is in a different layout in the Discipleship Journal, November/December 2003.

You will want to grab a sheet of paper and set this up first thing:
(They will be explained below.)

A. So you will have one column on the far left labeled: "Thoughts and Actions that Contribute to My Worry"

B. You will have a center column labeled: "Think on These Things" Category

C. You will have a column on the far right labeled: "Replacement Truth or Action"

D. Leave a bit of space underneath each column...perhaps lines that go across.

Think on These Things

True- Noble-Right-Pure-Lovely-Admirable-Excellent-Praiseworthy

1. In what areas are you prone to worry?

2. Pick one of these areas to focus on as you complete the following exercise.  When you're mired in worry, what thoughts go through your head?  List them in the left column.   Next consider your actions.  For example, when he was worrying about his job, the author recognized that conversations with coworkers were contributing to his worries.  If actions are contributing to your worries, add them to your list.

3. Now look at each thought you've listed. Is it contrary to one of the "Think on These" categories in Philippians 4:8-9?  If so, go through the exercise the author suggested:  Think of specific thought or Scripture to focus on instead of your worry.  For actions that contribute to your worry, list an alternative action in the far right column.

Area of Worry:  ___________________________________________

4.  Now you're poised to try a new way of thinking.  As the author discovered, cultivating peace is a process, not a one-time event.  What does Isaiah 26:3 say about the mind God keeps at peace?

                                   "You will keep in perfect peace

him whose mind is steadfast,

because He trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

5.  How can you use the new thought you've identified to keep your heart centered on God?

"Therefore humble yourselves (demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation) under the mighty hand of God,

that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care

(all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all)

on Him for He cares for you affectionately and cares for you watchfully." 

1 Peter 5:6-7

My Sister, told me over the weekend that she is going on a Missions trip to Brazil.  I am so excited for her...and a bit envious.  She is doing something that reminds me of this process.  She is giving up 2 of her "must have" foods...cheese for one...and we put cheese on everything!  I forget the second item.  Every time she thinks of cheese, she stops and prays about the trip...that His Will will be done, that people will be brought to Him as Lord and Savior, that she will have the finances she needs, and that she will be a good servant in the eyes of God. 

The way I see this as a being similar to the worksheet/article, is that when we think of a worry or concern...instead think of something from the "Think on These Things" Scripture.  Pray about one of THESE things...instead of thinking of the concern...over time, this will become a habit.  A great habit to have if you ask me!  And, you can still have cheese!

I will have automatically released posts while I am away until late Monday evening.  Hopefully, Blogger will work properly and release them on time.  There have been problems with it lately.  If for some reason you can not leave your comment under the "Google" option...leave it under "Anonymous."  I find that it goes through, usually.  I want to make sure that everyone has a chance to enter our Blog-o-Versary Celebration Give Away!  So, if you can't leave a comment at all, use my email on the side bar, and email me your comment with the necessary information!  God bless you!

Dads, have a Happy Father's Day!  And, please join me as I honor my Father in Heaven, especially this Sunday...but each day.  The loving and faithful Father for all who believe in Him--Christ Jesus as their Lord and their Savior!

He IS Able!

Traci S.

p.s. This is the Scripture of the Day over at Christian Paper Crafts...I just love it, and wanted to share it with you today.

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. 

Though you do not now see Him,

you believe in Him and rejoice with joy

             that is inexpressible and filled with glory."  1 Peter 1-8

Does it get more beautiful than this?