Slippery Slope of Worry

The doctor tells me that Floyd usually greets her with a smile - so special.  I find it amazing and admirable that after all this time and all Floyd has been through, he's still smiling!  I thank the Lord almost every day for the wonderful care he receives.  It means so much for my heart!  I continue to pray for his heart to be encouraged, for God's grace to be abundant, and for the Lord's presence to fill his room.

On my side there have been a number of things on my heart in recent days - with friends, with family, with our situation.  I've had moments when my heart has been heavy and troubled.  I have found myself calling out for the Lord's peace......a peace that only the Lord can give - one that is totally apart from the circumstances of life.  A peace that "passes understanding."  

I was reading in John 20 when the disciples were gathered together after the crucifixion.  The doors were locked.  They were discouraged.  They were fearful.  It must have felt as if their whole world had come crashing down on them.  Jesus came and stood among them after His resurrection.  The first words He said were "peace be with you!"  He knew what they needed.  They needed that peace, that comfort that can only come from the Lord.

In the midst of our current circumstances - with needs all around us, with a global pandemic that rages on, with things that seem to be out of control on so many levels......He speaks peace to our hearts.  He ministers peace to my heart in the face of things that I don't know how to manage.  I have a simple prayer that I pray.  "Help me Jesus.  Fill me with your peace.  Show me your way."  I whisper His name continually.  I keep my eyes on Him.  I speak out my trust. 

And - He is there....with His peace to meet me.

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."  Isaiah 26:3

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6,7

"These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  John 14:27

As God ministers His peace to our hearts, the overflow of that begins to impact the situations we are concerned about.  I'm so grateful for His peace. 

I have to admit that in spite of my desire and commitment to not worry, worry has indeed seeped in at times in recent days with several things that have been happening.  It's amazing how quickly "prayer" can turn to "worry" if we don't keep a tight control on our thoughts!  

A friend sent me a quote from Timothy Keller - "To worry is a form of arrogance, because it says I know what God must do and I am afraid He's not getting it right."  When you consider how many admonitions there are in the Word to not worry, this quote hits right to the heart of the matter.

And my worrying is not going to help the situation, or help God, one little bit!  I've found that I have to keep a tight control on my thoughts.  At the slightest turn to worry, I have to immediately speak out my trust in God.  I can't let the tiniest anxiety enter in, or I start slipping down that slope of worry. 

I can be honest about my concerns.......in fact, it's imperative that I am honest.  I can tell the Lord that I find the situation hard.  I can tell Him that I don't understand.  I can admit that I'm tired, I'm weary, I'm weak.  But then I must follow up those expressions of my heart with speaking out my trust in the Almighty God!

After all these long months on our unexpected journey, and with many new stresses and pressures entering in - I know I can't let down my guard.  I am strengthening my resolve afresh to trust and not worry! 

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:34

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5,6

"Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."  Jeremiah 17:7,8

I think I shared this quote a couple years ago, but it often comes to mind.  "Worry is like a rocking chair.  It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere."  I love rocking chairs, but I don't want to be like one!