>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