Wednesday, December 28, 2011

How to Worry

I love the way the Lord created what we call a “day.”
Sunshine and light for activity and a moon to glow in the dark night to slow things down and ease us into rest.
We have definitely become adept to upsetting this gentle flow, as many of us have to work at night and sleep during the day. Kids are also great for putting a kink in our awake and sleep patterns!
It is commonplace now for stores to be open all night. Just to age me ( and maybe you,) I remember when stores closed by 8pm and many were not open on Sundays!. AND, get this: TV programming went off by midnight!
We have learned how to beat the clock!
Or have we?
There are just so many options available to keep us awake and our brains on high alert!
With more and more to think about, do and get, are we inadvertently allowing ourselves to be pick pocketed by the very things we are giving our attention to?
Listen to this sound advice given by “the man who had everything” -King Solomon in Psalm 127, verses 1 and 2
“Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.”
I love that the Lord doesn't want us to be stressed out basket cases! It is not Him who is pressing us to stay up all night and get up early to brood over things that concern us.
Instead, He invites us to cast all our cares on Him, because He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7)
Isn’t it amazing that the God who spins the stars into place cares about the details of our lives?
Worry can feel like a roller coaster ride in your stomach. 
When we recognize it’s gnawing momentum, we can get off the ride by taking a couple of really practical steps.
1.Tell the Lord exactly what it is you are concerned about.
For some of you this is easy, You’re acutely aware of precisely what it is that eating you up.
For others, you know you have the disease of worry and will readily admit it, but the real thing you are concerned about is shrouded by the symptoms you have grown accustomed to feeling: a vague sense of queasy uneasiness.
Getting to the bottom line of what is causing us anxiety is important and freeing!
Ask yourself, “what am I really worried about right now?”
For example: Is it concern over being able to perform my tasks? 
Or is it a deeper fear over what someone might think about me if I don’t do them a certain way?
2. Live in the present.
Jesus said..”Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34
I love that Jesus didn’t negate the reality that there are things that we will be concerned about. He just told us today’s are enough for today!
I think that is the key to dealing with crippling worry. Not projecting all our “what if’s” into tomorrow.
In all these passages, I see the love of our Father reaching out to lift the burdens of His weary children. A touch made a reality because of Jesus.
It is He who cries out to us,Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Wherever you are right now, may you be deeply comforted by fact that He is right there  with you, awaiting to graciously lift off your weights of worry.

4 comments:

  1. "Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father's throne, Make all my wants and wishes known! In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief, And oft escaped the tempter's snare, By thy return, sweet hour of prayer."

    "Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, Thy wings shall my petition bear, To Him whose truth and faithfulness, Engage the waiting soul to bless; And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I'll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer."

    "Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, May I thy consolation share, Till from Mount Pisgah's lofty height, I view my home and take my flight; This robe of flesh I'll drop, and rise, To seize the everlasting prize, And shout, while passing through the air, "Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!" (William Bradbury 1816-1868)

    This is one of my favorite hymns from when I was a kid! Love to sing it because it reminds me of so many truths you have mentioned here! Love & prayers continuing! Hope your Christmas was Blessed! Cathy T.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Lisa for that inspiration. I dont think I have wrote anything here on your blog before but I myself am going through a really tough time with my health. It sure is easier when you have a diagnosis and treatment. See I was diagnosed with gastroparesis, levator syndrome and IBS. The worst is the gastroparesis it causes chronic pain all the time, I am not able to eat any solid foods except today I discovered I can eat a little bit of skinless chicken and bisquits, that was the highlight of my day. I wonder why God allows us to indure so much pain in these bodies there are some days that I feel like my flesh is drowning my spirit. Then I read your blog and feel very inspired thank you for those words I needed to hear just when I needed to hear them. I see that God is working a miracle in your life and I am so happy for you May God continue to bless you and also give you those words of encouragement that I so despertley need. Love & Peace, Connie Moreno

    ReplyDelete
  3. What an amazing God we serve.Thank you Lord for what you are doing in Lisa's life,and other lives as they see what miracles you are doing...:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you Lisa for your inspiration in your blogs. They not only have blessed us,but many of our friends in other states are reading them and are being blessed as well.As you know Bob & I lost our daughter Nov 7th. We are so thankful that we know Jesus. He has met us at every turn, & given us the peace that passes all understanding.We put our hope & trust in him. So happy to hear that God is working wonders in your life. In Christ Jesus Marilyn

    ReplyDelete