I was paralyzed by worry until Jesus asked me, “Do you want to get well?” I pondered His question, originally posed to a paralyzed man lying at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:6). Like the man at the pool, crippled for thirty-eight years, I had been crippled with worry most of my life. The answer to Jesus’ question became obvious—yes—I desperately wanted to overcome my worry and anxiety.

Since that day Jesus has been leading me, step by step, on a journey to leave worry behind. He has been showing me how to live life “carefree in the care of God” (Luke 12:24, The Message). Like an AA sponsor maintaining her sobriety by helping someone else stay sober, I’m reaching out to share what I’ve learned with others. Join me on this journey to leave worry behind!

Jean Jenkins is a wife and mother of three who lives in upstate New York; she’s led a women’s Bible study group for almost 25 years. A freelance writer, she’s a regular contributor to The Word in Season and has also been published in The Lutheran, The Secret Place, The Upper Room and Pray! Magazine.