Worry
by Ellen White
It is not work that kills; it is worry. The only way to avoid worry is to take every
trouble to Christ. Let us not look on the dark side. Let us cultivate cheerfulness of
spirit. 2MCP 466
I greatly fear that we are in danger, by worrying, of manufacturing yokes for our
necks. Let us not worry; for thus we make the yoke severe and the burden heavy. Let us do
all we can without worrying, trusting in Christ. Study His words, "All things,
whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Matthew 21:22).
These words are the pledge that all that an omnipotent Saviour can bestow will be given to
those who trust in Him. As stewards of the grace of heaven, we are to ask in faith and
then wait trustingly for the salvation of God. We are not to step in before Him, trying in
our own strength to bring about that which we desire. In His name we are to ask, and then
we are to act as if we believed in His efficiency.-- Lt 123, 1904. 2MCP 466
I keep your case before me, and I am grieved that you are troubled in mind. I would
comfort you if it were in my power. Has not Jesus, the precious Saviour, been to you so
many times a present help in times of need? Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, but cease
worrying. This is what you have many times talked to others. Let the words of those who
are not sick, as you are, comfort you, and may the Lord help you, is my prayer.--Lt 365,
1904. (2SM 253.) 2MCP 467
If we educated our souls to have more faith, more love, greater patience, a more
perfect trust in our heavenly Father, we would have more peace and happiness as we pass
through the conflicts of this life. The Lord is not pleased to have us fret and worry
ourselves out of the arms of Jesus. He is the only source of every grace, the fulfilment
of every promise, the realisation of every blessing. . . .Our pilgrimage would indeed be
lonely were it not for Jesus. "I will not leave you comfortless" (John 14:18),
He says to us. Let us cherish His words, believe His promises, repeat them by day and
meditate upon them in the night season, and be happy.--MS 75, 1893. (HC 120.) 2MCP 468
There is one thing that I want to caution you about. Do not fret or worry; it does not
pay to do this. Do not try to do too much. If you do not undertake too much, you will
succeed in accomplishing much more than if you try to carry out too many plans. Constantly
bear in mind the words of Christ, "Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into
temptation" (Mark 14:38). Christ is your personal Saviour. Believe that His saving
power is exercised in your behalf minute by minute, hour by hour. He is by your side in
every time of need.--Lt 150, 1903. 2MCP 470
Now we want to act like individuals who are redeemed by the blood of Christ; we are to
rejoice in the blood of Christ and in the forgiveness of sins. That is what we are to do,
and may God help us to get our minds off the dark pictures and think on those things that
will give us light. Now I want to read another scripture, "Be careful for
nothing" (Philippians 4:6). What does that mean?--Why, don't cross a bridge before
you get to it. Don't make a time of trouble before it comes. You will get to it soon
enough, brethren. We are to think of today, and if we do well the duties of today, we will
be ready for the duties of tomorrow.--MS 7, 1888. 2MCP 470
We are so anxious, all of us, for happiness, but many rarely find it because of their
faulty methods of seeking, in the place of striving. We must strive most earnestly and
mingle all our desires with faith. Then happiness steals in upon us almost unsought. . . .
When we can, notwithstanding disagreeable circumstances, rest confidingly in His love and
shut ourselves in with Him, resting peacefully in His love, the sense of His presence will
inspire a deep, tranquil joy. This experience gains for us a faith that enables us not to
fret, not to worry, but to depend upon a power that is infinite.--Lt 57, 1897. (ML 184.)
2MCP 472
In trusting in God continually there is safety; there will not be a constant fear of
future evil. This borrowed care and anxiety will cease. We have a heavenly Father who
careth for His children, and will and does make His grace sufficient in every time of
need. 2T 72
In trusting in God continually there is safety; there will not be a constant fear of
future evil. This borrowed care and anxiety will cease. We have a heavenly Father who
careth for His children, and will and does make His grace sufficient in every time of
need. 2T 72
Do not worry. By looking at appearances and complaining when difficulty and pressure
come, you reveal a sickly, enfeebled faith. By your words and your works show that your
faith is invincible. The Lord is rich in resources. He owns the world. Look to Him who has
light, and power, and efficiency. He will bless everyone who is seeking to communicate
light and love. 7T 212
Do not worry. By looking at appearances and complaining when difficulty and pressure
come, you reveal a sickly, enfeebled faith. By your words and your works show that your
faith is invincible. The Lord is rich in resources. He owns the world. Look to Him who has
light, and power, and efficiency. He will bless everyone who is seeking to communicate
light and love. 7T 212
Let us turn from the dusty, heated thoroughfares of life to rest in the shadow of
Christ's love. Here we gain strength for conflict. Here we learn how to lessen toil and
worry and how to speak and sing to the praise of God. Let the weary and the heavy-laden
learn from Christ the lesson of quiet trust. They must sit under His shadow if they would
be possessors of His peace and rest. 7T 69
The trials and anxieties that Paul had endured had preyed upon his physical powers. AA
488
All who choose Christ's kingdom of love and righteousness and peace, making its
interest paramount to all other, are linked to the world above, and every blessing needed
for this life is theirs. In the book of God's providence, the volume of life, we are each
given a page. That page contains every particular of our history; even the hairs of the
head are numbered. God's children are never absent from His mind.
"Be not therefore anxious for the morrow."[1 R.V.] We are to follow Christ
day by day. God does not bestow help for to-morrow. He does not give His children all the
directions for their life journey at once, lest they should become confused. He tells them
just as much as they can remember and perform. The strength and wisdom imparted are for
the present emergency. "If any of you lack wisdom,"--for to-day,--"let him
ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given
him."[2 JAMES 1:5.] DA 313
There are many whose hearts are aching under a load of care because they seek to reach
the world's standard. They have chosen its service, accepted its perplexities, adopted its
customs. Thus their character is marred, and their life made a weariness. In order to
gratify ambition and worldly desires, they wound the conscience, and bring upon themselves
an additional burden of remorse. The continual worry is wearing out the life forces. Our
Lord desires them to lay aside this yoke of bondage. He invites them to accept His yoke;
He says, "My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." He bids them seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and His promise is, that all things needful to them
for this life shall be added. Worry is blind, and cannot discern the future; but Jesus
sees the end from the beginning. In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring
relief. Our Heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know
nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service and honour of God
supreme, will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path before their feet. DA 330
In the heart of Christ, where reigned perfect harmony with God, there was perfect
peace. He was never elated by applause, nor dejected by censure or disappointment. Amid
the greatest opposition and the most cruel treatment, He was still of good courage. But
many who profess to be His followers have an anxious, troubled heart, because they are
afraid to trust themselves with God. They do not make a complete surrender to Him; for
they shrink from the consequences that such a surrender may involve. Unless they do make
this surrender, they cannot find peace. DA 330
There are many whose hearts are aching under a load of care because they seek to reach
the world's standard. They have chosen its service, accepted its perplexities, adopted its
customs. Thus their character is marred, and their life made a weariness. In order to
gratify ambition and worldly desires, they wound the conscience and bring upon themselves
an additional burden of remorse. The continual worry is wearing out the life forces.
Our Lord desires them to lay aside this yoke of bondage. He invites them to accept His
yoke; He says, "My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." He bids them seek
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and His promise is that all things needful
to them for this life shall be added.
Worry is blind and cannot discern the future, but Jesus sees the end from the
beginning. In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief. DA 330
Those who accept the one principle of making the service and honour of God supreme will
find perplexities vanish and a plain path before their feet. DA 330
When we take into our hands the management of things with which we have to do and
depend upon our own wisdom for success, we are taking a burden which God has not given us
and are trying to bear it without His aid. We are taking upon ourselves the responsibility
that belongs to God, and thus are really putting ourselves in His place. We may well have
anxiety and anticipate danger and loss, for it is certain to befall us. But when we really
believe that God loves us and means to do us good, we shall cease to worry about the
future. We shall trust God as a child trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and
torments will disappear, for our will is swallowed up in the will of God. MB 100
When we take into our hands the management of things with which we have to do and
depend upon our own wisdom for success, we are taking a burden which God has not given us
and are trying to bear it without His aid. We are taking upon ourselves the responsibility
that belongs to God, and thus are really putting ourselves in His place. We may well have
anxiety and anticipate danger and loss, for it is certain to befall us. But when we really
believe that God loves us and means to do us good, we shall cease to worry about the
future. We shall trust God as a child trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and
torments will disappear, for our will is swallowed up in the will of God. MB 100
One day alone is ours, and during this day we are to live for God. For this one day we
are to place in the hand of Christ, in solemn service, all our purposes and plans, casting
all our care upon Him, for He careth for us. "I know the thoughts that I think toward
you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected
end." "In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence
shall be your strength" (Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 30:15). MH 101
The love which Christ diffuses through the whole being is a vitalising power. Every
vital part--the brain, the heart, the nerves--it touches with healing. By it the highest
energies of the being are roused to activity. It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow,
the anxiety and care, that crush the life forces. With it come serenity and composure. It
implants in the soul, joy that nothing earthly can destroy--joy in the Holy
Spirit--health-giving, life-giving joy. MH 115
When wrongs have been righted, we may present the needs of the sick to the Lord in calm
faith, as His Spirit may indicate. He knows each individual by name and cares for each as
if there were not another upon the earth for whom He gave His beloved Son. Because God's
love is so great and so unfailing, the sick should be encouraged to trust in Him and be
cheerful. To be anxious about themselves tends to cause weakness and disease. If they will
rise above depression and gloom, their prospect of recovery will be better; for "the
eye of the Lord is upon them" "that hope in His mercy" (Psalm 33:18). MH
229
When wrongs have been righted, we may present the needs of the sick to the Lord in calm
faith, as His Spirit may indicate. He knows each individual by name and cares for each as
if there were not another upon the earth for whom He gave His beloved Son. Because God's
love is so great and so unfailing, the sick should be encouraged to trust in Him and be
cheerful. To be anxious about themselves tends to cause weakness and disease. If they will
rise above depression and gloom, their prospect of recovery will be better; for "the
eye of the Lord is upon them" "that hope in His mercy" (Psalm 33:18). MH
229
Many are unable to make definite plans for the future. Their life is unsettled. They
cannot discern the outcome of affairs, and this often fills them with anxiety and unrest.
Let us remember that the life of God's children in this world is a pilgrim life. We have
not wisdom to plan our own lives. It is not for us to shape our future. "By faith
Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an
inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Hebrews 11:8. MH
478
Many who profess to be Christ's followers have an anxious, troubled heart because they
are afraid to trust themselves with God. They do not make a complete surrender to Him, for
they shrink from the consequences that such a surrender may involve. Unless they do make
this surrender they cannot find peace. MH 480
Many who profess to be Christ's followers have an anxious, troubled heart because they
are afraid to trust themselves with God. They do not make a complete surrender to Him, for
they shrink from the consequences that such a surrender may involve. Unless they do make
this surrender they cannot find peace. MH 480
The faithful discharge of today's duties is the best preparation for tomorrow's trials.
Do not gather together all tomorrow's liabilities and cares and add them to the burden of
today. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" (Matthew 6:34). MH 481
We are so anxious, all of us, for happiness, but many rarely find it because of their
faulty methods of seeking, in the place of striving. We must strive most earnestly and
mingle all our desires with faith. Then happiness steals in upon us almost unsought. . . .
When we can, notwithstanding disagreeable circumstances, rest confidingly in His love and
shut ourselves in with Him, resting peacefully in His love, the sense of His presence will
inspire a deep, tranquil joy. This experience gains for us a faith that enables us not to
fret, not to worry, but to depend upon a power that is infinite. MLT 184
If we educated our souls to have more faith, more love, greater patience, a more
perfect trust in our heavenly Father, we would have more peace and happiness as we pass
through the conflicts of this life. The Lord is not pleased to have us fret and worry
ourselves out of the arms of Jesus. He is the only source of every grace, the fulfilment
of every promise, the realisation of every blessing. . . .Our pilgrimage would indeed be
lonely were it not for Jesus. "I will not leave you comfortless" (John 14:18),
He says to us. Let us cherish His words, believe His promises, repeat them by day and
meditate upon them in the night season, and be happy. OHC 120
Though their present needs are supplied, many are unwilling to trust God for the
future, and they are in constant anxiety lest poverty shall come upon them, and their
children shall be left to suffer. Some are always anticipating evil, or magnifying the
difficulties that really exist, so that their eyes are blinded to the many blessings which
demand their gratitude. The obstacles they encounter--instead of leading them to seek help
from God, the only source of strength-separate them from him because they awaken unrest
and repining.
Do we well to be thus unbelieving? Why should we be ungrateful and distrustful? Jesus
is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare; and our anxiety and fear grieve
the Holy Spirit of God. We should not indulge in a solicitude that only frets and wears us
but does not help us to bear trials. No place should be given to that distrust of God
which leads us to make a preparation against future want the chief pursuit of life, as
though our happiness consisted in these earthly things. PP 293
Though their present needs are supplied, many are unwilling to trust God for the
future, and they are in constant anxiety lest poverty shall come upon them, and their
children shall be left to suffer. Some are always anticipating evil, or magnifying the
difficulties that really exist, so that their eyes are blinded to the many blessings which
demand their gratitude. The obstacles they encounter--instead of leading them to seek help
from God, the only source of strength-separate them from him because they awaken unrest
and repining. . . .
Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare; and our anxiety and fear
grieve the Holy Spirit of God. We should not indulge in a solicitude that only frets and
wears us but does not help us to bear trials. No place should be given to that distrust of
God which leads us to make a preparation against future want the chief pursuit of life, as
though our happiness consisted in these earthly things. PP 293
Every time you are called upon to meet temptation, it is your duty to obtain a victory
through the grace of Christ; and when you endure temptation in the strength of Christ, you
are a conqueror. Cease worrying, and begin to count up your blessings and privileges. RH
AUG.7,1888
God does not condemn prudence and foresight in the use of the things of this life; but
the feverish care, the undue anxiety, with respect to worldly things is not in accordance
with his will. RH MAR 1, 1887
God does not condemn prudence and foresight in the use of the things of this life; but
the feverish care, the undue anxiety, with respect to worldly things is not in accordance
with his will. RH MAR.01,1887
Some are always fearing and borrowing trouble. Every day they are surrounded with the
tokens of God's love; every day they are enjoying the bounties of His providence; but they
overlook these present blessings. Their minds are continually dwelling upon something
disagreeable which they fear may come; or some difficulty may really exist which, though
small, blinds their eyes to the many things that demand gratitude. The difficulties they
encounter, instead of driving them to God, the only source of their help, separate them
from him because they awaken unrest and repining. SC 121
It is not the will of God that His people should be weighed down with care. SC 122
When men go forth to their daily toil, as when they engage in prayer; when they lie
down at night, and when they rise in the morning; when the rich man feasts in his palace,
or when the poor man gathers his children about the scanty board, each is tenderly watched
by the heavenly Father. No tears are shed that He does not notice. There is no smile that
He does not mark.
If we would but fully believe this, all undue anxieties would be dismissed. Our lives
would not be so filled with disappointment as now; for everything, whether great or small,
would be left in the hands of God, who is not perplexed by the multiplicity of cares or
overwhelmed by their weight. We should then enjoy a rest of soul to which many have long
been strangers. SC 86
God cares for everything and sustains everything that He has created. . . .No tears are
shed that He does not notice. There is no smile that He does not mark.
If we would but fully believe this, all undue anxieties would be dismissed. Our lives
would not be so filled with disappointment as now; for everything, whether great or small,
would be left in the hands of God, who is not perplexed by the multiplicity of cares or
overwhelmed by their weight. We should then enjoy a rest of soul to which many have long
been strangers. SC 86
Let us not make ourselves miserable over tomorrow's burdens. Bravely and cheerfully
carry the burdens of today. Today's trust and faith we must have. But we are not asked to
live more than a day at a time. He who gives strength for today will give strength for
tomorrow. ST NOV.05,1902
In place of growing anxious with the thought that you are not growing in grace, just do
every duty that presents itself, carry the burden of souls on your heart, and by every
conceivable means seek to save the lost. Be kind, be courteous, be pitiful; speak in
humility of the blessed hope; talk of the love of Jesus; tell of His goodness, his mercy,
and His righteousness; and cease to worry as to whether or not you are growing. Plants do
not grow through any conscious effort. . . .The plant is not in continual worriment about
its growth; it just grows under the supervision of God. YI FEB 3, 1898
Many are longing to grow in grace; they pray over the matter, and are surprised that
their prayers are not answered. The Master has given them a work to do whereby they shall
grow. Of what value is it to pray when there is need of work? The question is, Are they
seeking to save souls for whom Christ died? Spiritual growth depends upon giving to others
the light that God has given to you. You are to put forth your best thoughts in active
labour to do good, and only good, in your family, in your church, and in your
neighbourhood. In place of growing anxious with the thought that you are not growing in
grace, just do every duty that presents itself, carry the burden of souls on your heart,
and by every conceivable means seek to save the lost. Be kind, be courteous, be pitiful;
speak in humility of the blessed hope; talk of the love of Jesus; tell of his goodness,
his mercy, and his righteousness; and cease to worry as to whether or not you are growing.
Plants do not grow through any conscious effort. Jesus said, "Consider the lilies of
the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin." The plant is not in
continual worriment about its growth; it just grows under the supervision of God. The
children of God are to cease worrying, cease looking at themselves; they are to take an
earnest interest in others, and seek to lead the feet of the straying in the narrow path
cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. In this kind of work they will gain
breadth of thought, tact, and skill. They will realise that they are to become agencies
through which God will convey the truth to other minds, and that they are never to be left
alone in their efforts; for heavenly angels will work with them, and impress the hearts of
those who hear. YI FEB.03,1898
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