The subject of worry brings out all sorts of platitudes and clichés. If you tell a religious person that you are worried they might tell you to "Just trust God" and say something like "God is still on the throne". A nonreligious person might say "Don't worry. Everything will be okay". It seems that everyone has something to say about worry. Consider these quotes and my responses to them:- Worry starts when we project into the future. The mind searches for and examines all the angles it can find related to worst-case scenarios. -Kim Allen
I can relate to worst case scenarios. Yet I have to admit that all of the bad stuff that has happened to me, and the ones I love, have blindsided me.. I did not see the worst case scenario.. and I did not worry about it advance. - Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you
nowhere. -Glenn Turner
I remember a retired friend telling me that it was their right to worry. I think that some folks get some kind of sense of accomplishment out of worry. Some folks get a similar feeling of accomplishment when they pray. - Drag your thoughts away from your troubles... by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it. -Mark Twain
Most of the things that worry me anymore are the things that are in my face every day. The way that I deal with those things is allow my hope-filled heart to trump the thinkings of my head.. not that I am good at it or do it every time. - Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. -Benjamin Franklin
I love the way that Ben contrasts worry with sunlight. I think that sometimes folks like me who have been project managers live anticipating future problems. Reminds me that my life is something to be lived and not managed. - Pray and let God worry. -Martin Luther
I think that some use prayer as a way of venting their worries and sometimes prayer becomes another way to worry. It reminds me of the scriptures that tell us to come to God when we are weary and troubled.. and of the verse that says to cast all of our care on him because he cares for us. - Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today. -Jesus Christ
Jesus says this after he speaks to us about how flowers and birds do not worry because God takes care of them. He speaks deeply to me and challenges me to trust in the Lord with all of my heart and challenges me to not lean on my own understanding.
Do you have a favorite quote about worry? How do you deal with the worry in your life?
That's a good one.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent blog entry, Bob!
ReplyDeleteSome years ago, there was an AC Delco spark plug ad featuring Chuck Yeager, the famed pilot whom was the first to break the sound barrier. In the ad, he said "Don't wait for trouble!" Being the wisenheimer I am, I've added "Go looking for it!" "Don't wait for trouble, go looking for it!" has become my usual retort when Hubby starts up with the worst case scenerio about something and starts chewing on it like rat terrier. It gives us each a chuckle and helps calm him down.
Happy New Year to you and yours, Bob! Please tell Ann I'm thinking of her too!
I think Habakkuk had a real handle on worry. I try to apply this
ReplyDeleteScripture when I'm tempted to worry about something.
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail, And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold, And there be no cattle in the stalls, YET, I will exult in the LORD, I WILL rejoice in the God of my Salvation! The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places."
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NASB)
i've been worrying for the past months and this december it has becomes worse. 2011 is going to bring a lot of changes for me and i'm worried. i need to stop
ReplyDelete