We already know that worry is not good for us, yet we keep on worrying. This life comes with so many issues; obstacles, barriers, illness, problems, dangers, and the endless onslaught that all of us encounter. Here we are, this is life along with all the things we chose to worry about. But, what if, we are the ones making our lives harder by the worry?
We can sit here and list our worries. We can worry about making our list of worries. We can worry about how much we worry. And we can worry about how God judges us for worrying so much.
Has any of that been productive for you?
I have to get myself refocused sometimes so that I do not worry so much. I use scripture to set me straight, clean up some of the worrying, and bring more peace to my day-to-day living life.
What Does God Say About Worrying?
In the Beatitudes, Jesus clearly tells us how to sort this out.
“Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[n?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you-you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~ Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
In all honesty, I have not conquered all of that. Yet, I can declare that I have come a very long way with my worrying.
It has been a choice to remind myself of scripture and to rely on God, not man, for all of my needs.
Practice Makes Perfect
Most good things in life come with practice.
It has taken tremendous practice to overcome intense worrying. The more I have practiced this over the years, the more I hand my worries over to God instead of mulling over them. I am far from perfect, but I will accept the progress through practice.
No Worries!!
I use the phrase “no worries” a lot. Sometimes it will be for the benefit of others and sometimes it will be for mine.
There are so many things in life that we cannot control so saying, “no worries” seems to bring grace and peace to the moment, for you, for me and for the greater good of all.
Incorporating “no worries” into my way of speaking has brought with it less worrying.
You know the saying, “fake it until you make it.” Well, my “no worries” comment has taken on the same momentum. I just keep saying it and little by little I am believing it.
We can only fix what we can fix today, at the moment, with God’s help and power.
Don’t Tell Me Not To Worry About My Illness…
Chronic illness brings with it a plethora of things that one can worry about. There are so many unknowns, so many troubles, so many uncontrolable circumstances, that it feels impossible not to worry.
When we break down the worry into bite-sized pieces as God directs us, then we can tackle any illness that tries to wipe us out.
God specifically tells us to take this ONE day at a time.
- For today, what can we do to improve our health?
- For today, what can we do to support our body and mind?
- For today, what scripture will nourish our soul?
- For today, what can I do to displace wiorry with grace and peace?
There is nothing wrong with having a big picture but when we find ourselves steeped in worry because we cannot get to the big picture, then it is time to slow down, refocus on bite-sized answers. Day-by-day troubles are plenty for us.
Missing Out When We Worry
When we worry about things greater than today, we miss out on the awesome stuff that God is trying to show us, TODAY.
Today I have a choice to worry about solving all the issues in my life (like the electric bill, why the Internet only works sporadically, my health that is keeping me in bed, etc.).
Or I can choose to stick to the thoughts about todays troubles alone.
- Today, while I am recovering from pushing myself too hard, what can I do to grow closer to the Lord?
- Today, while I am in bed and ill, what can I do besides watching TV that numbs my brain?
- Today, how can I be productive from bed?
- Today, how can I find peace so that my body will calm down so that it relieves the physical stress on my body which is keeping me in bed?
- Today, what can I eat that will soothe my body and my soul so that it stays on a healing path?
- Today, what “nourishment” do I need that God has provided?
- Today, how can I renew my mind to think on Godly thoughts and not worry?
If I were to spend my day worrying about tomorrow, I miss out on the nourishment of today that God has so graciously provided.
Easier said than done, I know. If we don’t practice, we will never get there. Practice, practice, practice and then practice some more.
May you be richly blessed with nourishment that you need for TODAY,