It's all in your head

"It's all in your head," have you ever heard someone say that? It's the kind of phrase that seems to have the power to annoy and educate in equal measure. On the one hand, nothing is more annoying than someone trying to tell you that your problem is not that serious. On the other hand, we all know that often we can make things out to be worse than they really are.

The truth is that a lot of the things that happen to us in life start out as thoughts in our head. Who hasn't imagined having an argument with someone before they even see them? Who has never worried about money to pay bills or buy clothes?

The problem is that, while all that might seem natural, worry has never been good for us. In Matthew 6, Jesus asks a few questions that should give us pause. Here are verses 25 to 30 from the New Living Translation.

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

Why do we have so little faith? Why do we worry more naturally than we pray?

The real issue is trust. Do we trust God to look after us? Do we trust Him when He tells us not to worry? Do we know just how damaging worry is?

So, this week, no matter what goes on, ask yourself these questions: is my worry doing me any good? Do I have such a close relationship with God that I can trust Him to look after my needs?

Your mind is important - use it wisely.