To a Worrywart...

Ever been called a worrywart? I think most of us could be described as this definition. Let’s face it; it’s a worrisome world.

How many of us are living in another time zone, either the past or the future. Either way, it seems like the thoughts we think about both are not exactly positive, are they. Fear, dread, worry, regret, anxiety… Have you been wading through these kinds of feelings whenever you look back on your past or look toward your future? It’s not very life affirming, is it?

One of today’s buzz phrase is “live in the present.” It sounds catchy. And yes, God said it first:

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
Matthew 6:34

So, what do we do with that piece of advice? It seems we still go back to our worrying. We feel haunted and chased by our past, littered with all kinds of poor choices and failures. And we perch with uneasiness at the thought of the future which lies ahead. We are stubborn about this, aren’t we?

But while we’re doing this, as the stubborn, imperfect critters we seem to be, let’s tuck just a couple of things in our minds. First, worrying really does us no good, whatsoever.

“Which of you for all your worrying can add a moment to your span of life? And if you are not able to control such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
Luke12:25-26

Worrying about something won’t safeguard us from experiencing it. It just makes us miserable. Something we fear may or may not happen. But regardless, there’s God.

“What shall we say after this? If God is with us, who shall be against us?”
Romans 8:31

"And He has our worries under His control, whatever they may be: God has things under control. “Do not be anxious about anything. In everything resort to prayer and supplication together with thanksgiving and bring your requests before God.”
Philippians4:6

“Place all your worries on him since he takes care of you.”
1Peter5:7

Our worrying about the past, present or future, however, does not do this. The past is done and covered…

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalm 103:12

And the future does look bright, even in spite of our current circumstances…

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11

So, when that worrywart kicks up some dust, let’s try to remember God. He’s always with us, anyway. And nothing, including each of us, is too hard for Him!

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”
Jeremiah 32:27
Copyright © 2012 by Sheryle Cruse