Have you ever worried about something? Many of you will probably turn your nose up and begin to quote scriptures about how worrying is wrong—and you’re absolutely right—but that’s not my question.

Have you ever worried about something? Felt helpless in your situation? Or recognized exactly how little control you have in your predicament?

I used to worry a lot. I worried about everything that could be worried over, but what made things truly difficult for me was that I was second-guessing my own prayers. Sometimes I would sit down and pray scriptures against worry and right after saying amen I’d wonder if I’d prayed the right scripture, if maybe I should have said more, and I’d hope that God knew what I really meant.

If you’re smiling right now its probably because you can identify with how I felt back then. It was a really tough period for me that lasted quite a while, but I’m not going to focus on my troubles—this article is going to be about how the Lord delivered me, in Jesus’ name.

What was so difficult for me to give up worrying was the idea of casting my cares on the Lord. We’ve all heard the scripture from I Peter 5:7 NLT—

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

What a simple and straightforward verse! Are you worried about making the rent this month? The report from the doctor? Are you anxious about your marriage? About getting married?

Give it to God. Its as simple as that—but that’s what tripped me up the most.

How do you simply give up your concerns about your health one day? How do you suddenly stop worrying about your broken marriage? Or that upcoming job interview?  

I sat in my room quoting scriptures and praying, fasting and crying out, singing songs of worship, and reading other people’s praise reports as I gave all my worries to the Lord. But every day, the worry would come back, the anxiety would return, and I’d be right back at square one.

The truth is, everyone’s blessings are different. Sometimes I attend church services where someone who has been in church for years still struggles with the same illness while other Believers are cured as soon as they walk through the door. I don’t have all the answers as to why God does this or that—but I can explain to you my own journey with the Lord.

I had a slow-going deliverance (haha) worry would come every day, about every little thing, but each time I cast it all away. My mouth would go dry and my throat become raw from all the time I spent whispering prayers and mumbling scriptures during the night—but I did it. Each and every time worry hit me, I cast all my cares on the Lord—over and over.

I can sit here and complain that God took forever. I can ask why He didn’t deliver me and solve all my problems the moment I first uttered a prayer asking for His precious grace and mercy. Instead I’m going to take the time to thank God for my journey, because through it all I realized that the Lord made me so much stronger than I ever thought I was. When you never give up, God makes a way.

Sometimes your prayers are not answered right away, but its important to know and understand that everyone’s walk, and everyone’s deliverance is different. I had to fight my way to freedom from worry. But now I know what to do; my experience was such a long one that I will never forget it. Whenever worry dares to poke its ugly head out, I now know exactly how to beat it back down.

God hears your prayers, my friend, just as He heard mine. I won’t deny that sometimes it felt like I was so alone, surrounded by my thoughts which screamed of worry and anxiety—but God never gives us more than we can handle. When you refuse to lose sight of Jesus and all that He has given and promised to give you, situations change, mountains are moved, and troubles melt away. What happened to me can happen to anyone who asks God and has the patience to wait for His answer.

Now … You understand that deliverance may be different for some, so let’s go back to my question from before.

How do you cast your cares on the Lord? How do you just toss away your worries?

As Believers, we fight a spiritual battle with spiritual weapons. So in your fight against worry and anxiety you should always unsheathe your Sword of the Spirit—that is, the Word of Almighty God [Ephesians 6:10-20].

Quote scriptures of deliverance and positivity and speak against your worries. Get filled with the message of good health, love, joy, and prosperity. Think on higher things [Philippians 4:8], don’t think about what’s been bothering you—that’s for God to do.

Here is what I prayed when I was worried—and even when I feel worried today.

The first thing is to bring the situation to the Lord. Remember the scripture, you do not have because you do not ask God, James 4:2 NIV. So remember to lay it before the Lord and ask God for deliverance.

Lord, you know that I’ve been worried about this situation lately. I know that you see me exactly where I’m at. I know that you love me and that you don’t want me to worry, so I’m going to hand this situation over to you. I cannot solve this issue, but I know you can because you are God. Give me peace as I continue to push forward, Lord, and let me never lose hope. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.

You might not feel a miraculous tingling as your worries are lifted away—but that’s not the sign of a miracle. Peace of mind is your miracle. The heavy weight lifted from your shoulders is your miracle. The confidence that your prayers have been answered despite the ugly truth before you is your miracle.

Trust in the Lord [Proverbs 3:5-6], no matter what your eyes see—accept what your spirit sees, accept what your heart believes and knows is true. You are a Child of the Most High God, He has heard your prayers and He will come down from heaven to rescue you. Believe that.