It is so easy to get caught up in stressful situations and the negativity of our world. We often spend so much time worrying, which God never intended. God wants us to have joy and peace, and we can only have that through Him. Still, there are biblical principles and other concrete things we can do to decrease our worry. Without further ado, here are ten steps to help you worry less and have more peace in your life.

Give it to God

God is so ready and willing to listen if only we would take the time to give our problems to Him. He cares about every detail of your life, no matter how small. The Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth cares for you, and if you were the only one would still have sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross for you. How humbling is that! God can and will take your worry, sadness, pain, and heartache away if you will let Him. So, lay it at the feet of Jesus and leave it there.

Pray About It

Right along with giving it to God is praying about the situation. Even if you give it to God, you can continually pray for His will to be done in your life. You can pray for peace and direction about the situation. The Bible tells us to, "Ask and it shall be given you." (Matthew 7:7) If we truly believe this, we should be ready to ask God for whatever we need. Simply praying about something can fill us with peace and the knowledge that God is working all things together for good.

Read God's Word

The Bible is such an underrated tool for daily living. God provides us with so many stories of hope, faith, and love through these passages. He gives us answers to some of life's most difficult questions. No matter the situation you're facing, there's sure to be at least one verse relating to your struggle. God perfectly designed His Word to be the only book we truly need to follow. It is our weapon against the world. It is the sword of the Spirit. Let us not forget to use it. If your Bible has been sitting on a dusty shelf for far too long, let today be the day you pull it out and crack it open to find some solace from the world and an inspiring word to help you throughout your day.

Talk with a Friend

God said it wasn't good that man should be alone. While God should be our greatest confidant, it is extremely important to surround ourselves with good, godly friends. Friends are able to view our lives from a different perspective. They can help us see things we may otherwise miss. They can also be a source of comfort and a prayer partner. There's nothing quite like a praying friend. Simply talking aloud to someone can help decrease the anxiety you feel. If you don't have at least one good friend, I encourage you to search for one. Look to people at your church or place of work, or call up a friend from the past that you may have neglected. Plan to meet up regularly to be a source of support for each other.

Read an Uplifting Book

Books are another tool that is often highly underrated. There are so many amazing books that can encourage and uplift your spirit. A dear friend gifted me one of my favorite books of all time - Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This book discusses the crazy love of our heavenly Father and how we can fall radically in love with Him. I have never read a book that touched my heart and gripped my soul quite like this book, with the exception of the Holy Bible. The book even has a workbook called Living Crazy Love that you can use during your study to gain more from the text. There are numerous other devotionals, personal development books, and enjoyable fiction that can also uplift your mind and spirit. So, grab a book or Kindle and read something good for the soul.

Make a Plan

When you feel anxious, sometimes it is helpful to create a plan. Maybe you are worried about paying upcoming bills and need to make a budget. Perhaps you're worried about your child falling behind in school, so you make a plan to work with them on lessons during summer break. Whatever the issue, consider whether you can make a plan that will help relieve some of your stress. While we cannot control everything, it is helpful to know we have a plan of action. Just remember that it does not always go as planned, so keep an open mind and consider making a backup plan just in case.

Practice Intentional Breathing

Breathing is something we do constantly without even thinking about it. Often, we only notice our breathing if it is more labored than usual. When you are stressed, you may find your breathing rate and heart rate increase. If so, try practicing breathing intentionally. Taking in slow, deep breaths through your nose and out of your mouth is a great way to practice mindfulness. You are focused more on your breathing and less on the stressful situation. It is a very healthy practice. You can find guided breathing videos on YouTube, such as this video from Calm. Try it out, and see if it helps your anxiety.

Listen to Uplifting Music

Music is such a powerful tool that can be used to evoke specific emotions within us. Notice the change in your emotions when you listen to a sad song versus an upbeat song. When you're feeling worried, try listening to an upbeat song with happy lyrics. I really enjoy listening to contemporary Christian music. It is often upbeat, but it has such a wonderful message. Some of my favorite artists include For King and Country, Jordan Feliz, Brandon Heath, and TobyMac.

Reflect on God's Previous Work in Your Life

When you start to worry, consider what God has done for you in the past. Has your life always been perfect? No. Has God always had wonderful experiences? No. He is constantly disobeyed and disrespected by his very creation. He allowed his Son to die on the cross for a world of sinful people. Yet, God blesses us abundantly and continually answers our prayers. Consider the prayers He answered for you in the past. Reflect on the many times He delivered you from trouble. Remember that God is always looking out for you, and what better person for this job than the creator of all things? Rest assured that He will continue to work in your life no matter what may happen.

Consider the Best Possible Outcome

When we are required to make important decisions, stress may occur if we are unsure of the right choice to make. Often, we immediately think of what could go wrong because of our choices. Instead, why don't we consider the best possible outcome? There is so much good in the world that is often overshadowed by the bad. Evil forces are hard at work to destroy your joy, but you can overcome this with God's help. Next time you start to worry, try thinking of all the good that could occur. It just might lift your spirits.

Thanks so much for reading. I hope this helps you worry less and find more peace in your life. Be sure to subscribe for more content on faith and simple living.