Consider this: The most common anxiety is that of worry. Yet, research tells us that 95 percent of what we worry about never happens. Have you noticed this? The enemy often uses fear and worry to distract you from God’s purposes. A nagging spouse, rebellious child, or unreasonable in-laws can either destroy your marriage or strengthen your resolve to grow in grace. You can hold a grudge and fret, or you can forgive and relax.

Perhaps you are overlooking the greatest antidote for worry and fear ever prescribed: prayer. Communication with God is more effective than the most powerful drug prescribed for anxiety. God is family! He cares! He is able! No doubt, at times, it seems as though God is stretching us like a bow, beyond what we think is our breaking point. Yet we do not break, because God is aiming at His mark—not ours.

If you find that you have temporarily lost your sense of well-being by worrying, don’t despair. The great saints who have gone before us, who were very familiar with the ways of God, frequently experienced the same cycle of highs and lows, joys and sorrows that we do. Yet, they remained steadfast and patient. Worry is for the hopeless; but we, as children of God, have the hope of Christ’s resurrection power within us.

Discuss: Have you experienced worry or a restlessness of heart that might indicate something in your marriage needs to be changed? Pray together about this.

Worry gives a small thing a big shadow.
SWEDISH PROVERB

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