1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,059
Ralph: Do you feel like worry and anxiety are stealing your joy?

2
00:00:03,479 --> 00:00:06,810
And holding you back from the abundant life God has planned for you.

3
00:00:07,499 --> 00:00:16,916
Stay tuned because today we're going to dive into the Bible's wisdom on how to stop worrying, and start truly living a prosperous life.

4
00:00:45,784 --> 00:00:47,488
Welcome to our spiritual Sunday show.

5
00:00:47,518 --> 00:00:49,228
I am so glad you chose to join us.

6
00:00:49,558 --> 00:00:52,708
I just want to thank you for being a listener and supporting our program.

7
00:00:53,068 --> 00:00:57,298
I can feel how the program is growing and it's because of you to listener that that's happening.

8
00:00:57,748 --> 00:01:01,528
I'm coming to you today from the Estep Farm and the Saggio Accounting studio.

9
00:01:01,918 --> 00:01:09,328
So let me put on my podcaster hat and put down those overalls and put that adding machine on the side and let's get some financial wisdom.

10
00:01:09,658 --> 00:01:16,438
From a Christian perspective, as you know, today's our Sunday show today's topic is what I think every single one of us can relate to.

11
00:01:16,948 --> 00:01:18,028
And that is worry.

12
00:01:18,568 --> 00:01:20,098
Whether it's stress about money.

13
00:01:20,428 --> 00:01:21,958
Our relationships, our health.

14
00:01:22,258 --> 00:01:23,998
Or an uncertain future.

15
00:01:24,398 --> 00:01:27,628
Worry can feel like a heavyweight that keeps us stuck.

16
00:01:27,898 --> 00:01:29,548
And robs us of peace,

17
00:01:29,858 --> 00:01:31,118
But here's the good news.

18
00:01:31,298 --> 00:01:34,988
God never intended us to live in a state of constant worry and fear.

19
00:01:35,408 --> 00:01:41,318
In fact, the Bible is full of wisdom and encouragement for those who want to break free from the cycle of anxiety.

20
00:01:41,618 --> 00:01:42,848
That's what we're going to talk about today.

21
00:01:43,378 --> 00:01:46,048
don't forget to subscribe to the show and join our email list.

22
00:01:46,378 --> 00:01:50,818
You do that at askralphpodcast.com . So you don't miss tomorrow's show tomorrow.

23
00:01:50,818 --> 00:01:54,478
We're gonna be talking about how to steward your Benjamins.

24
00:01:54,808 --> 00:01:58,348
It's kind of a hip term, but we're going to talk about how to steward those Benjamins.

25
00:01:59,108 --> 00:02:01,928
I want to start by sharing one of my favorite verses on this topic.

26
00:02:02,468 --> 00:02:05,348
In Matthew chapter six, verses 25 to 27.

27
00:02:05,348 --> 00:02:06,458
Jesus says this.

28
00:02:06,848 --> 00:02:09,398
Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life.

29
00:02:09,878 --> 00:02:12,818
What you will eat or drink or about your body.

30
00:02:12,818 --> 00:02:17,108
What you will wear is not life more than food and the body more than clothes.

31
00:02:17,678 --> 00:02:21,758
Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns.

32
00:02:21,758 --> 00:02:23,798
And yet your heavenly father feeds them.

33
00:02:24,458 --> 00:02:30,578
Are you not more valuable than they can, any one of you by worrying at a single hour to your life?

34
00:02:31,208 --> 00:02:33,278
I think that's a good way to start today's episode.

35
00:02:33,308 --> 00:02:36,698
What a powerful reminder of what God has for us.

36
00:02:37,208 --> 00:02:40,058
Jesus is telling us that God deeply cares for us.

37
00:02:40,448 --> 00:02:44,378
And he'll provide for all of our needs just as he does the birds of the air.

38
00:02:44,838 --> 00:02:47,018
and he points at the futility of worry.

39
00:02:47,648 --> 00:02:51,848
No amount of stressing or fretting can add a single hour to our lives.

40
00:02:52,358 --> 00:02:54,248
In fact, and this is the truth.

41
00:02:54,728 --> 00:02:56,828
Worrying actually steals from us.

42
00:02:57,308 --> 00:03:02,528
It robs us of the present moment and the joy and purpose God has for us right at this moment.

43
00:03:03,098 --> 00:03:03,848
But I get it.

44
00:03:04,388 --> 00:03:06,818
Letting go of worry is easier, said than done.

45
00:03:06,848 --> 00:03:08,228
This is something I battle with.

46
00:03:08,738 --> 00:03:10,358
So let's get practical for a minute.

47
00:03:10,898 --> 00:03:14,228
Here are five actionable steps you can take starting today.

48
00:03:14,618 --> 00:03:16,958
To begin to break free from the grip of anxiety.

49
00:03:17,528 --> 00:03:18,878
And the first one is this.

50
00:03:19,208 --> 00:03:20,828
Give your worries to God.

51
00:03:21,008 --> 00:03:21,698
A few weeks back.

52
00:03:21,698 --> 00:03:24,308
I did an episode about giving it all to God.

53
00:03:25,058 --> 00:03:30,638
First Peter chapter five verse seven tells us to cast all your anxiety on God, because he cares for us.

54
00:03:31,178 --> 00:03:36,278
You've got to take time each day to honestly express your fears and concerns to God.

55
00:03:36,428 --> 00:03:37,718
And you do that in prayer.

56
00:03:38,288 --> 00:03:41,678
Picture yourself physically handing your worries over to him.

57
00:03:42,128 --> 00:03:45,278
A lot of times, I'll say I just leave these at the bottom of the cross Lord.

58
00:03:45,968 --> 00:03:46,778
Number two.

59
00:03:47,228 --> 00:03:49,478
You got to meditate on God's promises.

60
00:03:49,988 --> 00:03:53,828
The Bible is full of reminders of God's faithfulness.

61
00:03:54,278 --> 00:04:00,518
His provision for us and his love for us when worry starts to creep in combat it with truth.

62
00:04:01,478 --> 00:04:02,408
Well, how can you do that?

63
00:04:02,408 --> 00:04:02,708
Ralph?

64
00:04:02,708 --> 00:04:03,938
That might be a good question.

65
00:04:04,178 --> 00:04:05,198
Well, here's how you do it.

66
00:04:05,678 --> 00:04:09,458
Find verses that speak to your specific concerns and commit them to memory.

67
00:04:10,088 --> 00:04:11,528
Speak them out loud.

68
00:04:12,008 --> 00:04:14,948
Let God's promises be louder than your fears.

69
00:04:15,518 --> 00:04:18,158
Another thing you can do is number three, practice gratitude.

70
00:04:18,188 --> 00:04:19,658
I talk about this quite a bit.

71
00:04:20,001 --> 00:04:23,991
It's so easy to get fixated on what we lack or what could go wrong.

72
00:04:24,621 --> 00:04:27,411
But gratitude is a powerful antidote to worry.

73
00:04:27,981 --> 00:04:30,471
Start and end each day by listing a few things.

74
00:04:30,471 --> 00:04:33,981
You're thankful for whether they be big things or small things.

75
00:04:34,641 --> 00:04:36,861
This gratitude will shift our perspective.

76
00:04:37,251 --> 00:04:39,951
And remind us of God's blessing in our lives.

77
00:04:40,281 --> 00:04:41,331
And number four.

78
00:04:41,781 --> 00:04:45,141
Take action on those things that you can control.

79
00:04:45,651 --> 00:04:47,391
There are things that you can control.

80
00:04:48,201 --> 00:04:52,371
Worry often comes from a place of feeling helpless or out of control.

81
00:04:52,941 --> 00:04:54,411
While we can't control everything.

82
00:04:54,411 --> 00:04:55,851
And trust me, I've learned this.

83
00:04:56,331 --> 00:05:00,621
We can almost always take some small proactive step.

84
00:05:01,191 --> 00:05:03,801
For example, if you're worried about money, create a budget.

85
00:05:04,251 --> 00:05:06,861
Or start researching ways to increase your income.

86
00:05:07,611 --> 00:05:10,851
If you're concerned about your health schedule, that checkup you've been putting off.

87
00:05:11,481 --> 00:05:12,741
Taking action.

88
00:05:12,771 --> 00:05:16,581
Even small steps can greatly ease anxiety.

89
00:05:17,151 --> 00:05:18,261
And number five.

90
00:05:18,921 --> 00:05:21,291
Surround yourself with truth tellers.

91
00:05:21,891 --> 00:05:24,141
You might ask Ralph, what are truth tellers?

92
00:05:24,951 --> 00:05:30,201
We all need people in our lives who will point us back to God's promises and provisions when we're struggling.

93
00:05:31,101 --> 00:05:32,451
Seek out friends.

94
00:05:32,871 --> 00:05:37,251
Family members or a church community who will pray for you and remind you of what's true.

95
00:05:37,581 --> 00:05:39,831
When your worry threatens to overwhelm you.

96
00:05:40,831 --> 00:05:43,171
And be that kind of friend to others too.

97
00:05:43,861 --> 00:05:47,101
If you're looking for somebody to support you, support them as well.

98
00:05:47,941 --> 00:05:51,421
As we begin to put these things into practice and make them a regular part of our lives.

99
00:05:51,811 --> 00:05:54,121
I truly believe we'll start to see a shift.

100
00:05:54,751 --> 00:05:58,771
We'll find ourselves worrying less and trusting God more.

101
00:05:59,401 --> 00:06:03,001
We'll start to experience the peace that passes all understanding.

102
00:06:03,331 --> 00:06:06,391
That's what Paul talks about in Philippians chapter four, verse seven.

103
00:06:07,201 --> 00:06:08,251
And here's the thing.

104
00:06:08,971 --> 00:06:10,801
As we learn to release worry.

105
00:06:11,101 --> 00:06:12,721
And lean into God.

106
00:06:12,991 --> 00:06:17,461
We free up so much mental and emotional energy to start really living.

107
00:06:18,151 --> 00:06:19,351
To dream big.

108
00:06:19,891 --> 00:06:21,061
To love deeply.

109
00:06:21,571 --> 00:06:23,011
To give generously.

110
00:06:23,491 --> 00:06:27,001
To pursue the passions and purpose that God has placed inside of us.

111
00:06:27,391 --> 00:06:32,221
If we're constantly in worry, we are never going to be able to do those things.

112
00:06:32,371 --> 00:06:34,021
We're not going to be able to dream big.

113
00:06:34,381 --> 00:06:36,091
We're not going to be able to love deeply.

114
00:06:36,331 --> 00:06:41,071
We're not going to be able to give generously or to pursue the passions and purpose that God has placed inside of us.

115
00:06:41,621 --> 00:06:41,891
Friend.

116
00:06:41,911 --> 00:06:43,021
That's what I want for you.

117
00:06:43,471 --> 00:06:45,781
Not a life constrained by fear and worry.

118
00:06:46,261 --> 00:06:47,551
But a life of freedom.

119
00:06:48,031 --> 00:06:50,071
A life of joy and a life of purpose.

120
00:06:50,371 --> 00:06:51,271
In Christ.

121
00:06:52,261 --> 00:06:54,571
Now, before we wrap up today, I want to lead us in a prayer.

122
00:06:55,231 --> 00:06:58,561
God, we confess that worry often feels like our default mode.

123
00:06:59,561 --> 00:07:02,591
We get so easily tangled up in fears about the future.

124
00:07:03,221 --> 00:07:06,581
Anxiety about our lack and stress over things.

125
00:07:06,581 --> 00:07:07,961
We really can't control.

126
00:07:08,621 --> 00:07:10,901
But you've called us to a different way of living.

127
00:07:11,721 --> 00:07:13,331
A, life marked by trust.

128
00:07:14,051 --> 00:07:14,951
Gratitude.

129
00:07:15,371 --> 00:07:17,201
And unshakable peace.

130
00:07:17,951 --> 00:07:20,741
Today, we cast all our cares and worries on you.

131
00:07:21,371 --> 00:07:23,081
Knowing that you care for us deeply.

132
00:07:23,891 --> 00:07:28,031
Remind us of your constant presence, your faithful provision.

133
00:07:28,421 --> 00:07:29,831
And your great love.

134
00:07:30,491 --> 00:07:33,371
Give us the wisdom and courage to take action where we can.

135
00:07:33,851 --> 00:07:37,661
And the strength to release what we can't control into your capable hands.

136
00:07:38,281 --> 00:07:40,991
May we embrace the abundant life you came to give us.

137
00:07:41,531 --> 00:07:45,401
We pray all of this in the precious name of Jesus.

138
00:07:45,941 --> 00:07:46,331
Amen.

139
00:07:46,991 --> 00:07:50,801
Now, before we wrap up, I want to remind all of our listeners to visit our podcast page.

140
00:07:51,221 --> 00:07:58,751
You do that at askralphpodcast.com . There you can leave a review, share your thoughts, or even send us a message with questions for future episodes.

141
00:07:59,201 --> 00:08:03,371
As I mentioned the last few days, we are looking to build our calendar with new topics.

142
00:08:03,521 --> 00:08:05,441
And if you have one, please send that over to me.

143
00:08:05,741 --> 00:08:15,011
And while you're at the website, make sure you join our email list so we can send you our daily email with what's going on on the show or any tidbits that we have to share while you're there.

144
00:08:15,011 --> 00:08:18,941
You can also schedule a consultation with me to discuss your specific circumstances.

145
00:08:19,391 --> 00:08:20,681
And here's one thing I'd like you to do.

146
00:08:21,281 --> 00:08:25,571
If, you know, someone who needs encouragement and the truth is we all need to be encouraged.

147
00:08:25,841 --> 00:08:28,571
Please share this episode and share this program with them.

148
00:08:29,231 --> 00:08:32,021
My goal, my mission field is to reach people.

149
00:08:32,291 --> 00:08:33,911
And help them in their life.

150
00:08:34,361 --> 00:08:38,591
And if you know somebody that could be touched by this, I ask you to simply share this episode with them.

151
00:08:39,491 --> 00:08:40,631
As we end our time together.

152
00:08:40,661 --> 00:08:41,531
Remember this.

153
00:08:41,921 --> 00:08:46,181
God never intended for worry and anxiety to dominate our lives.

154
00:08:46,661 --> 00:08:48,941
He called us to live a life of peace.

155
00:08:49,421 --> 00:08:51,881
A life of purpose and to trust in him.

156
00:08:52,661 --> 00:08:57,521
As we give our worries to God meditate on his promises, practice, that gratitude.

157
00:08:57,521 --> 00:08:58,331
We talked about.

158
00:08:58,661 --> 00:09:04,061
Take wise action and always surround yourself with truth tellers.

159
00:09:04,421 --> 00:09:07,241
We can begin to break free from the cycle and fear and start really living.

160
00:09:07,241 --> 00:09:08,591
Once we do these things.

161
00:09:09,251 --> 00:09:14,711
If you found today's episode helpful, I'd love for you to share it with a friend who needs some encouragement and letting go of worry.

162
00:09:15,161 --> 00:09:21,491
And if you're looking for more practical wisdom on managing money and aligning your finances with your faith, be sure to check out our website again.

163
00:09:21,491 --> 00:09:28,301
That's at askralphpodcast.com . We've got a wealth of resources past episodes and even opportunities for you.

164
00:09:28,301 --> 00:09:30,191
Submit your own financial questions.

165
00:09:30,611 --> 00:09:31,781
Well, thanks for joining me today.

166
00:09:31,781 --> 00:09:34,301
Remember, God is bigger than your worries.

167
00:09:34,751 --> 00:09:37,511
And he has great plans in store for you.

168
00:09:38,051 --> 00:09:43,781
Stay financially savvy folks, keep pursuing a life of purpose and may God bless you on this Sunday.