The nurse’s voice recently on the other end of the phone caused every nerve in my body to ping to high alert. What news would her call bring?
Then the verdict: “Your lab tests are normal.” Wow. The relief was palpable. This disconcerting need for “a retake” finally gave way to exhilarating joy.
With new enthusiasm, I gathered my car keys, slung my favorite tote over my shoulder, grabbed my mini tumbler of coffee, and headed out the door. Life felt great!
But. Before. I. Even. Reached. The. First. Corner. — my mind started mulching another situation of equal concern. Where did that come from? What happened to my mental euphoria?
Right then and there the Holy Spirit created a classroom in my heart and offered this instruction: there is always something to worry about.
Think about it. There really is always something to worry about.
At my mental intersection, a question stares me in the face: “Where do I want my thoughts to turn?’ “Will I reach out to what might be wrong and allow this might be phantom to rob me of the blessing that exists right now?” Upon arriving at my answer, just like steering the car, I must steer my mind toward worry or toward truth. These two will always be at odds with each other, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, I am the referee.
The answer takes me—one thought at a time—toward worry or toward truth. And the decision determines the quality of life on my road ahead.
Worry robs, drains, distracts, and depletes. Worry is not real, only imagined.
On the other hand, truth revitalizes and refreshes; truth provides security because truth rests on the Rock of our Salvation.
As stated by Hannah Whitall Smith, “We have nothing under our own control but our wills. Our feelings are controlled by many other things—our health, the weather, the influence of other personalities on us—but our will is our own. All that lies in our power is the direction of our will.”
Living With Eternal Intentionality®
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27 Berean Study Bible).
What most easily drags you into the quack mire of worry?
Does your worrying contribute to the solution or does it rob you of God’s resources?
What course of action could you take to give yourself the gift of not worrying?
