Whenever I see a bird, it reminds me not to worry. It’s because of this passage in the Bible:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:25-27 NIV

This was from Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount, which tells us that worry is both unnecessary and unhelpful.

If I find myself worrying about something, I ask myself this question: Can I change it?

If the answer is yes, then do so as soon as possible. No need to worry. If the answer is no, then worrying about it is useless. If you’re not sure—pray about it, then trust God to guide you to a solution or acceptance of the situation. Again, no need to worry because God has promised to take care of all the needs of those who trust in him.

“God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV

It takes practice not to worry because we’re human—the only living being God made that is capable of worry. When I catch myself worrying or in other words, meditating on a problem or issue, I mindfully picture myself putting the problem in a box, covering it with a lid, tying a bow around it, and lifting it up to God to deal with. I take a deep breath and let it lift off my shoulders.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

How to pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for taking this worry from me. I pray for your good and perfect will in this situation. Help me recognize your hand in it and trust that you have it covered.