MIDWEEK MESSAGE – August 20, 2026

Most people worry. On a positive note, worry can motivate you to plan and take action, leading to positive changes in your life. However, when most people worry, the opposite often happens. Because of the stress caused by worry, they often fail to take the necessary steps to achieve the positive changes they want. That is because worry often blocks our connection with God, disrupting our faith and stealing our peace and serenity.

Most of our worries never materialize. In fact, studies show that, on average, 91.4% of worries do not come true. So, if worry doesn’t produce the desired results, how can we stop worrying?

There are many ideas and methods to stop worrying; just search for them online and make sure you have enough time to explore all of them. Many have great suggestions, but for me, the best way to release worry is something I learned years ago from my spiritual mentor in Miami.

Whenever I would feel worried, which happened often, she would just ask me, “How is your now?” I hated that question because my now was always okay. Because, like most people, my worries were all about the future.  

For me, worry drains my energy, peace, my connection with a higher power, and often distances me from others. Rarely does it lead to anything positive because it prevents me from taking action out of fear that it will be wrong; as a result, I worry even more. When I pause and ask myself how I am right now, and then think of things I am grateful for in this moment, the worry fades away.

Most religions aim to help people reduce their worries. While each religion approaches this from its own unique theological view, they share a common theme: trusting in a higher power or principles, being present, and accepting what is beyond our control. This often leads to less worry and more inner peace.  

So, like the song from a few years ago said, “Don’t worry, be happy.”

Quote of the Week

“If a problem is fixable, then there is no need to worry.  If it is not fixable, then there is no use in worrying.  Either way, there is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.”

His Holiness, the Dalai Lama