September 7th, 2007 Worry

As problems piled up like mountains around us this week, my husband and I talked, planned and projected how to deal with one in particular. It's interesting because this one problem was only a potential problem. Indeed, it was very likely that nothing would come of our concerns. Yet we devoted hours to strategizing over this "what if".

There were numerous other things that required our attention but we'd become so consumed with this one - fretting, planning and rethinking our plan. In effect, not only did we waste our time, we were completely robbed of our peace. I found this verse calling to me: Jesus said "Do not borrow trouble from tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself. Today has enough trouble of it's own." Matthew 6:34

Do you ever find yourself worrying over things that have not yet happened? I'm not speaking of things that may require advance preparation but something that is not yet an issue. Anyone who has stayed up waiting for their teenager to come home and played out all their deepest fears will know what I mean. Or perhaps you've waited for test results and worried what they might bring. Whatever the outcome, what good did your worrying add? Not one iota.

Worry is a stumbling block to peace. When we learn to trust all our tomorrows to Him, the result is a deep secure peace. He alone knows what our future will bring and He will be there with us whatever comes. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways ackowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."