What if worrying were not an option? What if we had only two options:
1. Trust God
2. Let go of control.
Actually, as part of humankind, we all worry at one time or another. It’s in our nature. But wouldn’t it be fabulous if we could not worry; if we simply could not access the worry button? What if the only button we could press when we are anxious is the trust button? I wish it were so easy.
Do you remember the Staples commercial a few years ago that suggested that at Staples all we needed to do was
press the easy button? It was so appealing that I wanted to shop at Staples every time I was stressed. Go to Staples and they would make everything easier for me. Funny how that commercial still is one of my favorites. Goes to show how desperate I can become.
Back to our subject- worry. Worry is…
W- wasting our time
O- opening ourselves to undue stress
R- stealing our rest
R- running from our problem (denial)
Y- yearning for a way out.
What if instead, we trust God?
T- turn to God for a solution
R- run to His Word
U- understand or view the situation through God’s eyes
S- find a God solution
T- wait on God’s perfect timing
If you recall from a former blog “In an Instant,” my husband had a cycling accident. He broke his collarbone and some ribs and has not been able to exercise (think bear) and has been limited in all of his activity (think super bear). He is an avid cyclist and there are so many things that he has been unable to do. Thankfully he decided to contact a law firm who specialized in bike personal injury settlements just after his accident and they were able to help him make a claim. It was a good job really as the doctor’s bills have not come cheap so this has helped us to be able to afford this without having to spend our money. They were very helpful and supportive. Hopefully, we won’t have to use them again but we know where to turn to in case it does. Last week his doctor released him to begin cycling again and I thought I would be thrilled because I knew that this would help his spirits so much. And it did. But not for me. I began to yes…. worry. I imagined every possible scenario that could happen on his first cycling trip since the accident. I became obsessed with trying to find a way to keep him from going back to what I considered a dangerous sport. Finally, my husband said something to me that was a game changer.
Joanne, I feel most fully alive when I am on my bicycle.
So what do I say to that? No. You might find yourself not fully alive but fully dead? You guessed it. I gave up control and reminded myself that God made a promise to both of us; that He would never forsake and abandon us; that He has this.
What are you holding on to so tightly because you are afraid to give up control? Does trying to control the situation help the situation? What if… you turned your worry into trusting God? His Word is our lamppost. It illuminates our path and gives us a sense of well being. Yes, He has this. Whatever you are holding on to tightly, it may be time to let go. As long as your grip remains, you may even be blocking God’s plan.
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart; lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. (Proverbs 3:5)
