Sunday, April 14, 2013

Worry Is As Worry Does!

Our worry and anxiety about things in life can become self fulfilling prophecies. These traits can lead us to a path of fear instead of the road to strength. In any case, worry and anxiety certainly don’t help us deal with the challenges that confront us in this life. And it’s not just our own behavior that we need to confront, because those close around us can help push us in the wrong direction as they respond in a worrisome way to our challenges.

Jesus tells us, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life……   Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:25 & 34
It’s easier said than done in this elimination of worry and anxiety in our lives.  We walk a tight-rope that makes our job difficult as we move through the bumps on the road of life.  Christian community is certainly a support in our lives and God uses each of us who seek Him in this life through community to help each other.
A number of years ago, my wife and I became quite close to an elderly widow lady in our church. She was very active and participated in church retreats at our church camp among other activities.  She had a great sense of humor and could always be counted on for a comment that would send everyone into laughter. She was an inspiration to all around her as she approached her old age with vigor.
One day I was chatting with her and she said, “I am very happy and relieved.” I then asked her, ‘what about?’ She said, “I’ve been worried all my life about getting cancer, and now that I’ve been diagnosed with it, I can stop worrying!” I’ve been pondering her statement ever since. What good did her worry do for her other than cause her displeasure for years?
Yes, we should take care of business in the challenges of our life.  We have our health to tend to, our finances to handle, our jobs to fulfill, but worry and anxiety don’t serve us well as we tend to everyday things. How then do we overcome the worries and anxieties of life?  We must turn them over to God.
As we approach each day of our lives, we must do our part in dealing with the challenges of our life, but we must let God do His part.  We can’t control the whole challenge. When we try, then the worry sets in and becomes an impediment to our dealing with things and with God’s help reaching a solution or outcome no matter what it might be.
 

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