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In studying Jesus” Sermon on the Mount I was struck with how He began each section in chapter six with the words “Do not!”  He began first with the negative: how NOT to give, how NOT to pray, how NOT to fast.  I thought it would be interesting to list some DO NOTS for the new year that will prevent the troubles of life from driving you to a nervous breakdown. First, the negative attitudes.

01. Try to figure out the answer before the problem arises. What will I do if I lose my job?  How will I manage if my business fails?  Oh no, exams are coming; what if I don’t pass?   What clothes am I going to wear?  How am I going to pay for them? What if I get sick?  Try solving your problems by worrying.  Do not pray for divine help.   It will hasten your nervous breakdown.

02. Try to Relive the Past.    Brood over the past. Indulge in regrets.  Keep going over what has already happened and throw away new opportunities that come with each new day. 

03. Try to Avoid Making Decisions.     Just let your problems stack up without making the decisions that will settle them.  Constantly weigh your options and agonize over which would be the right one. 

04. Demand More of Yourself than You Can Produce.     Do you think you are superhuman? Maybe you think you are super spiritual.  Try to carry a double load, and it will double your chances to have a nervous breakdown. 

05. Believe Everything the Devil Tells You. Satan got Eve to doubt God’s Word.  He wants us to doubt the Scriptures, to doubt the miracles, to doubt that there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. These are five routes you can take if you want to have a nervous breakdown.  But I am happy to say that there is an antidote.  It is right there in Matthew 6:25   “DO NOT Worry!”  Let us examine the specific antidote for each negative attitude. 

06. Do Not Worry.  Jesus said it!  “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear.  Look at the birds of the air…your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”  Wow!   Never forget the promises of the One who takes care even of the sparrows.  Do not forget the Scripture says that God will meet all your needs (Philippians 4:19).        

07. Forget What is Behind.  The apostle Paul gives very good advice: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…” (Philippians 3:13-14)  The past with its failures and disappointments is behind you.  You cannot live there. The future is as bright as the promises of God.  You can only live today; live it with joy for the good things God has in store for you.

08. Go to the Counsellor.  Take your problems to the Lord in prayer; His Name is Counsellor (Isaiah 9:6).  Ask Him to help you make the right decisions about each one.  God’s Word says “You guide me with your counsel” (Psalm 73:24).  After you pray for guidance, take the step of faith—make the decision and then leave the result with the Lord. 

09. Get Some Rest.   Jesus said to His disciples, “Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).  Doctors agree that many illnesses are only an accumulation of Sundays in arrears.  God gave us a day of rest because we need it.  Make Sunday a day of rest and worship.

10. Believe God’s Promises. The antidote to doubt is faith.  “This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith”   (1 John 5:4, KJV).  Trust in the Lord; do not believe the devil’s lies.  You will be an overcomer!

May God rule in your life and give you a peaceful and productive year in 2018.