How to Overcome Worry: Experiencing the Peace of God in Every Situation

By Dr. Winfred Neely

Scripture’s cure for the worry epidemic

Do you struggle with worry or anxious thoughts on a regular basis? Does your mind get fixated on the same concern over and over? Do you know you should stop worrying but repeatedly fail to do so?

How to Overcome Worry presents a biblical and practical strategy for this exact problem. Dr. Winfred Neely, who has experienced his fair share of anxiety-inducing circumstances, walks you through Philippians 4:6–7 to help you:

• Understand the difference between concern and worry
• Use prayer as a means of grace to overcome worry
• Cultivate gratitude and thanksgiving as an antidote to worry
• Navigate changing seasons and circumstances without falling into worry
• Employ practical strategies for experiencing the peace of God

Worry is one of the top issues in our world today, even among Christians, and this concise and biblical approach will offer real solutions. In His Word, God tells us to stop worrying, pray about everything, and expect His peace. This is a true promise of Scripture, and this book will help you to lay hold of it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Moody Publishers
• Release date: Apr 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9780802495181

Book preview

Praise for How to Overcome Worry

In a world filled with so much stress, fear, violence, and uncertainty—is it really possible to be anxious for nothing? Dr. Neely tackles head-on why these words aren’t meant for someone else or another more peaceful time. He shows through great stories and biblical insights how God’s Word is exactly what you and I need to face up to worry and fear—today—and how you can even put an unshakable foundation under your life story, even in a world that’s shaking apart. It’s quick to read, filled with hope and I get that examples. You need this book, like I did, to move fear for all that could happen to our children and country and world back into God’s hands and put peace back into our hearts, today.

JOHN TRENT, PHD

Gary D. Chapman Chair of Marriage and Family Ministry and Therapy, Moody Theological Seminary

Worry is a relentless adversary. Thank you Winfred Neely for giving us sage, transferable wisdom in overcoming worry. This book is a treasure. It is practical, engaging, and, most important, it is anchored in the truth of God’s Word.

DR. CRAWFORD W. LORITTS, JR.

Author, Speaker, Radio Host Senior Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church

Worry is endemic. Yes, we do have a lot of things to worry about in our world today. Neely, in his inimitable pastoral style, puts our hearts to rest as he points us to our God, our fortress, our solid rock. This work is biblically sound, theologically astute, practically helpful, and spiritually warm. Don’t worry … read Neely!

ABRAHAM KURUVILLA, THM, MD, PHD

Research Professor of Pastoral Ministries, Dallas Theological Seminary

Worry is like a flea on the back of a dog—it’s not welcome but it attaches itself to any willing carrier. We are all well practiced in worry. We are not well rehearsed in overcoming worry. Neely’s book provides the biblical information and practical advice to experience the peace of God in these trying times. I commend it to you. Start reading and stop worrying.

J. PAUL NYQUIST, PHD

President of Moody Bible Institute

This book focuses on one of the most important biblical passages that deal with worry. Winfred Neely provides solid biblical insight, practical wisdom, and pastoral sensitivity as he explores and applies how believers can wrestle with and win over worry.

SCOTT M. GIBSON, DPHIL

Haddon W. Robinson Professor of Preaching and Ministry, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

© 2017 by

WINFRED NEELY

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version, copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Edited by Connor Sterchi

Interior design: Ragont Design

Cover design: Erik M. Peterson

ISBN: 978-0-8024-1504-2

We hope you enjoy this book from Moody Publishers. Our goal is to provide high-quality, thought-provoking books and products that connect truth to your real needs and challenges. For more information on other books and products written and produced from a biblical perspective, go to www.moodypublishers.com or write to:

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Printed in the United States of America

I dedicate this book to Stephne Elaine Neely, my wife of forty years and my best friend. She is a woman of God, a wonderful mother, a mentor of women and men, and one of the most courageous women I know. I would not be the man I am today without her redemptive influence in my life! I am grateful to her for walking with me through the anxious moments and seasons of the last four decades.

Contents 

1. The Troubled Waters of Worry

2. A Bold Imperative

3. The Antidote to Worry

4. A Precious Promise for Hard-Pressed People

5. Walking in Freedom from Worry

APPENDIX A:

A Pattern for Prayer

APPENDIX B:

Scriptures to Aid in Your Battle against Worry

APPENDIX C:

Questions for Individual