Worry is like a rocking chair...it gives you something to do, but doesn't get you anywhere!" I don't know how many times I heard this from my grandma Jessie while she was alive. She was an expert worrier...quite the professional. And I have to admit that I have struggled like she did...I have become quite the professional in that area! But the one thing that grandma taught me was to fight the urge to worry...no matter how great the temptation is!
Bonnie over at the Faith Barista gave a challenge on her blog last week to write down some "What if's" in regards to our lives and follow through on one of them. One of the "what if's" that I came up with is "What if I gave my "what if's" to God? Our "what if's" are our worries....What if I don't get the job? What if my kids mess up? What if I fail? What if people see my weaknesses? This past week I have tried to give my "what if's" to God. I have done this by constantly going to Him in prayer when a worry pops up. It has been so liberating! I haven't made a habit of doing this before...I am constantly worrying or going to someone else for help. But this past week I have gone to God more than doing those other things. I have slept better and felt more at peace because I have given my "what ifs" to Him and have focused on Him than on the problems surrounding me.
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
I love your grandmother's quote! Very good! It is hard to give up those what ifs isn't it, but it does feel good when we do :-)
ReplyDeleteIndeed He longs to gives us His peace, why is it so hard for us to accept?
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
We ask the "what if I fail" kind of questions -- and God may be asking "what if you do this?"
ReplyDeleteGood post.
Thanks for the reminder to seek God in my worries. (From a fellow Debbie)
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I'll be thinking of your grandmother's wisdom as I rock my little one in my grandmother's rocker tonight. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd most of the stuff we worry about never happens, so we wasted all that time. :)
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 26:3 is my "life" verse. Since I was 7 years old.
ReplyDeleteAnd I use that to fight worry, too!
"Worry is like a rocking chair...it gives you something to do, but doesn't get you anywhere!"
That is a keeper!
Thank you, Debbie!
It's good to know someone else struggles with the negative "what ifs" too. Your grandmother's saying made me smile, because my mother used to say the same thing. :) Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete