WORRY NOT

I do not spend a great deal of time worrying---but when I do drop off into that deep black hole----it is difficult to locate the way back into the light.  Why do I spend time worrying about things which I have little if any control over?  Past experiences push me into the deep chasm of obsessiveness.  I worry about my future financial security----we have all seen the stock market free fall into a deep bottom---my past experience dredges this worry to the surface.  I have no control over the stock market---I do have control over my investments--so I am ultra conservative knowing at my age I do not have enough time remaining to recover.  Yet I still worry.

I worry about future health challenges.  I take care of the body I have been given and enjoy good health, but what does the future hold?  What happens if I suffer serious health problems---who will take care of me---how much will the care cost?  There is not ONE thing I can do about this, beyond what I am doing, but still I worry.

I worry about my children and grandchildren.  This world is a mess--more of a mess than ever.  It frightens me to consider the obstacles in their paths.  My children are all grown---my grandchildren are their parent's responsibility.  Cleaning up the mess this world is in is a bigger job than I can tackle alone.  Why do I worry about them--when God's Book is full of promises concerning their futures?

I just finished a great and inspiring book with a good deal of wise insight.  One of the quotes I took to heart, "Worrying is praying for what you don't want."  The scriptures instruct us to not worry for God is our provider.  Jehovah Jireh who knows the number of hairs on our heads and  provides food for even the birds of the air is our Great Provider.  What does it say of whom our God is when we spend one moment worrying about tomorrow?

The book is an amazing travel commentary of walking the 500 miles of "Camino de Santiago".  OH--- WOULD I LOVE TO DO THIS WALK!  The path is marked with yellow arrows ---all you have to do is follow the arrows.  "By letting go of the worry and placing trust in the arrows, I became confident that I would eventually arrive in Santiago."  Five hundred miles---no map--foreign country--dependent upon yellow arrows---faith and trust in the arrows.

We are given a set of arrows--a book full of arrows----all we need do is follow the path marked by the arrows.  Faith in the map maker and trust in the directions--will lead us to the goal.  "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."    Worry not--He is here and He has the path all marked out.


"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27 


3 comments

  1. Thanks for speaking to this today, Lulu, for it's something that most of us have to deal with. If we don't look at fear straight in the eye, it grabs hold of us and becomes our god.

    The sooner I can release my very real fears to my Heavenly Father, and do it over and over, the safer I am from that downward spiral.

    I have to believe He's got the whole world in His hands. And that includes the things that cause me angst ...

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  2. It's shining the light on the next step in front of you and not on the woods ahead. There may very well be a beautiful path that is hidden in the trees!

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  3. Hi Lulu! A friend of mine just returned from walking that trail. She noted her progress on Facebook. She said there was an incredible amount of friendliness on the way.

    I have been to Santiago de Compostela, but I didn't walk there. Just amazing. I'm sure this book was so inspirational.

    Worry is definitely a pitfall of mine. I worry about the same things you do! And my husband has been out of work for almost two years. It's stressful, and challenges me to give it all to the Lord. I wish I could control the job market, but I can't. In Christ, in Christ....
    Blessings!
    Ceil

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!