>COUNT TO EIGHT (WOE BE GONE)
>by Max Lucado
>"We have here only five loaves and two fish." (Matt. 14:17)
>How do you suppose Jesus felt about the basket inventory? Any chance he
>might have wanted them to include the rest of the possibilities? Involve
>all the options? Do you think he was hoping someone might count to
>eight?
>"Well, let's see. We have five loaves, two fish…and Jesus!" Jesus
>Christ. The same Jesus who told us:
>Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the
>door will be opened to you. (Luke 11:19 NIV)
>If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish,
>and it will be given you. (John 15:7 NIV)
>What ever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and
>it will be yours. (Mark 11:24 NIV)
>Standing next to the disciples was the solution to their problems…but
>they didn't go to him. They stopped their count at seven and worried.
>What about you? Are you counting to seven, or to eight?
>Here are eight worry stoppers to expand your tally:
>Pray, first. "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all
>your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him…(I Peter 5:7
>AMP)
>Easy now. Slow down. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him (Ps.
>37:7).
>Act on it. The moment a concern surfaces, deal with it. Don't dwell on
>it. Head off worries before they get the best of you. Be a doer, not a
>stewer.
>Compile a worry list. Over a period of days record your anxious
>thoughts. Then review them. How many of them turned into a reality?
>Evaluate your worry categories. Detect recurring areas of preoccupation
>that may become obsessions. Pray specifically about them.
>Focus on today. God meets daily needs daily. He will give you what you
>need when it is needed.
>Unleash a worry army. Share your feelings with a few loved ones. Ask
>them to pray with and for you.
>Let God be enough. "Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
>Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he
>will give you everything you need." (Matt. 6:32-33 NLT).
>Eight steps.
>Pray, first.
>Easy, now.
>Act on it.
>Compile a worry list.
>Evaluate your worry categories.
>Focus on today.
>Unleash a worry army.
>Let God be enough.
>P-E-A-C-E-F-U-L