Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Philippians 4:6-7 MSG)
Jeopardy, the television game show, is best known for requiring each answer to be in the form of a question. That is contrary to our natural tendency so in order to win we have to intentionally change the way we respond. That is exactly what this verse is teaching us to do with things that make us worry and fret. Intentionally change way we respond. Instead of worrying, convert the words into prayers. For example, instead of worrying that your child might get hurt or lost on the way to school, say "Lord, please protect and favor my child as they go to school today and return them home safely at the correct time". Instead of thinkingabout a negative report from the doctor, think about how many times God has spared your life and kept you through even your lowest days so far. Praise Him for those miracles and mercies He's provided to you and those you love. It won't be easy at first and even once you get the habit settled in your routine, you may find yourself letting worry creep in again. That's ok. You can get back on track with your very next thought. The spirit will bring the words of this scripture back to your remembrance. Then that peace that surpasses all understanding will settle over your mind and your heart as you return your focus to God instead of the problem. Keep your mind stayed on Him. How, with everything you deal with on a daily basis from bills, to pain, to heartache or disappointments, can you possibly keep your mind stayed on Jesus? Listen to your favorite spiritual music, read your Bible or share your testimony and encourage someone else. All these things keep your mind away from worry and train us to pray in response to our concerns. Jeopardy is just a game, but it can teach us that if we don't change the way we respond, we could jeopardize our sense of wholeness we received with Christ. Now that's a prize you don't want to lose.