Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church says God does not want His people to worry, and every time they are tempted to do so, they should simply seek Him in prayer.
"God wants you to trust Him one day at a time: 'Give us this day our daily bread.' Not for next week. Not for next year. Not for next month. Just one day at a time," Warren writes on his website.
The Bible verses Philippians 4:6 and 8 instructs Christians to fix their thoughts on "what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable." They should also think of things that are "excellent and worthy of praise," quotes Warren.
The bestselling author of "The Purpose Driven Life" says God stresses on worry because it's not just a bad habit but more of a "flat-out sin." God already promised to take care of His children, so it is pointless for Christians to worry.
At the same time, praying instead of worrying is good advice because it has the power to change things. "If God loved you enough to send Jesus to die for you, don't you think He loves you enough to take care of all these other problems?" he asks.
But no matter what happens in one's life, Warren says Christians should always give thanks. But people do not have to be thankful for the bad things in their lives, and they should never be thankful for evil.
"You don't have to be thankful for cancer or a car accident or war or abuse. But God says in everything give thanks. Why? Because you know that God's going to take care of you," explains Warren. "You know He's going to meet your needs. You know He's going to help you."
