Introduction to Worry to Worship

Worrying is Work! 

Did you know that the word worry in Greek and Hebrew means heavy labor, toil, anguish, misery, distress and weariness? Do those words describe you? If so, listen to Jesus’ encouraging invitation in Matthew 11:28-29 where he says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Jesus invites us to be yoked to Him.

You will miss out on His beautiful word picture unless you understand what kind of yoke Jesus is talking about. A yoke is like a wooden collar that an animal wears when plowing the fields. It looks like an upside down “u.” Since long before Jesus’ time, people have been training young oxen by yoking one of them together with an older, more experienced ox. That double yoke looks like a lopsided “m,” with one side larger than the other. It joins the two oxen together. The young one walks alongside the older one, while the older ox carries most of the load.

Jesus tells you if you’re weary and burdened, to come to Him and He will give you rest. If you take up His yoke and walk alongside Him, He will carry most of the load. As you read, From Worry to Worship, you will learn practical ways to yoke yourself to Jesus so you can find rest for your soul.

Spend 10 minutes a day going from worry to worship.

I have designed this book so that you can make exciting progress on your journey from worry to worship in one month by spending just 15 minutes a day. Each daily lesson will lead you through a Bible study and brief assignment that will help you to apply the Word to your specific worries.

I will never tell you what you should be able to do through Christ, or shame you because you tend to worry. Instead, I will give you practical tips that will help you to turn your worries to worship.

Start a Worry to Worship group.

At the end of the book I have included a brief Leader’s Guide so that you may use From Worry to Worship in a small group setting--in Bible studies, support groups or Sunday school classes. You can also start a Worry to Worship group in your neighborhood or with another friend or two. The Leader’s Guide offers questions that focus on one chapter a week, for a total of six weeks. (If you prefer a 12-week Bible study you can spend two weeks on one chapter.) The questions I ask will encourage you to grow spiritually, share honestly and find support and encouragement from other Christians.

Have a Worry to Worship seminar or retreat at your church.

I love going around the country helping people to quit worrying. Click here if you’re interested in talking to me about coming to your church.