Why Worry about Stuff That Won't Happen?

I do it. You do it. We all do it. We fill our minds with worry over things that are not even likely to happen. As if we don't have enough to worry about already, we waste our time thinking about stuff that's unlikely to occur.
Yesterday we talked about dwelling on the past: holding onto grudges and resentment about unfair circumstances. Today, let's look at our habit of living in the future ... a future that may never materialize. 
We worry about work: what will we say if the boss asks us to defend a decision. We worry about relationships: what will happen if friend A learns what we told friend B about them. We worry about our health: what if that mole turns out to be skin cancer and that cough turns into pneumonia. We worry about finances: what if the check bounces or we don't save enough for retirement and we wind up homeless. We worry about our safety: what if that new neighbor turns out to be a serial killer. Small things. Big things. Serious things. Ridiculous things.
We rehearse dialogue in our heads: "Well if he says this, then I'll say that." We make up dramas and play all the parts in all the imagined outcomes. Does any of this sound familiar?
Let's look at what the Bible says we should be thinking about instead. "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things." Philippians 4:8
If we spent our time thinking about these things, we wouldn't have time to spend worrying about things that haven't happened and most likely never will.
I'm really good at "worst case scenario" thinking. But so what if the bottom falls out or the proverbial s_ _t hits the proverbial fan? I can't change anything by worrying about it ahead of time.
In the verses just prior to telling us what to fill our minds with, Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice! let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:4-6.
The next time you catch yourself starting to worry about the unknown future, turn you mind toward Jesus. Start giving God thanks for the present moment. The past is over and done with ... we can't change the past. The future, for good or bad, hasn't gotten here yet ... we can't know the future. Live in the "now" ... with a prayer on your lips, thanksgiving in your heart, Jesus by your side and peace in your soul. It's the best way to live.