New year, new hopes, new goals…out with the old, in with the new, right? Rather than emphasize the “newness” concept, let me talk to you about one of the “old” items that you may carry over with you into this year. It is a phenomenon that affects you in many ways. It can cost you sleep. It can cost you time. It is very unbecoming…displaying it is most unattractive. It is unproductive. It can cause you to lose perspective. Things will appear bigger, heavier, multiplied, and worse than they are. Its children can lead to bad health, depression, even worse. It will rob you of energy. But beyond all this, it’s unbiblical. Why? Because it demonstrates a lack of faith (Matt. 6:25-34) and it is forbidden by God (Matt. 6:34, Phil. 4:6, 7). If you haven’t guessed by now, “it” is worry. Most people who worry usually live in the wrong tense. They are either struggling with things that took place yesterday, events that are already completed and cannot be undone. Or, they are struggling with things that may take place tomorrow. In either case, they’re not living where the Lord wants them to…in the present tense. We are to take no thought about tomorrow…it has enough troubles. We are instructed to seek wisdom just for today. The main reason is that God is the God of the present tense. His is the great I AM. Even though He’s eternal, His dealings with us are always within the 24 hours in which we live. The God of the present tense is looking for us to meet Him in the present tense. We have no control over either yesterday or tomorrow…just those things that are on our plate today. So turn your worry into productivity. How? First, recognize that worry is the distortion of a good emotion given to us by God: concern. And though you may not simply turn off worry, you can mobilize your energy to deal with what you have today. Second, it may mean being more discipline in developing your daily schedule and keeping it. Third, submit each and every plan, detail, concern you have to God in prayer. Trust His wisdom to resolve your concerns. Give Him the requests; don’t give Him your answers to the requests! Fourth, trust the Word of God instead of your feelings. Submit your feelings to the loving control of your Heavenly Father. Who knows, you might lose years of worry-wrinkles and gain a more youthful appearance in the process! Think: PRESENT TENSE!