I have managed not to worry about global warming, being
murdered in my bed, tornados or hurricanes. (I know, we don't have the last two
in Idaho, but I worried about them anyway.) In other words, I have managed to
stop worrying about things I have no control over ― mostly. However, other worries have
replaced them. Why do I do that?
Every weekday morning, I utilize
every possible second to write, read my devotions, and keep up on some social
sites. Mixed in of course is time to shower, dress, fix my lunch, have breakfast,
exercise and get on the road in time to be at work twenty miles away by eight
in the morning.
That’s a lot to accomplish. If I was smart, I wouldn’t try
to cram so much in, but I can't let go of any of it and thus starts the worry
chain. What if it snows and I have to leave earlier? Well, guess what? It did
snow.
Not only did I have to leave early because of icy roads, I
needed gas too. What did I do? Well of course I prioritized. I didn't do half
of my morning routine and hold your breath ― I survived! The world didn't come to an end. Nothing bad happened.
Wow.
The snowstorm taught me a valuable lesson: deal with bad
things when they happen and don't stress
over it until then. I should make a few plans, have an idea what might need to be
done (i.e: leave earlier), and then let it go.
Surprisingly, I didn't feel stressed about simplifying my
morning routine. Perfectionists and those with compulsive tendencies know how
hard this is. I believe God gave me the grace to overcome these compulsions and
helped me put my priorities in the proper order.
The bigger lesson: He will also give me the grace to face
any other set of nasty circumstances that might arise as He has in the past.
He helped me overcome the deaths of two husbands, financial hardships, and
illnesses. He even helped with things like food and a job as well as snowy roads.
However, letting go of these smaller things may actually take more work. They are the daily challenges we constantly face, but it will be worth the effort. Imagine living without fear or worry. I
sure want to try it.
So, let it snow, let it snow. Well, not really, but at least
I've stopped most of the worry chain, I hope. Being fully human, I may revisit that place again, but maybe with God’s grace I can minimize my
lapses. At least, that's the plan. I'll let you know next Monday how it went.
How about you? Do you fight the clock and worry about how much you can accomplish, how you can juggle when your time is short and how do you cope?
I came to finish the full piece. You see this morning I got up with anxiety and a tightness it in my chest. Another financial hardship...notices during the night from the bank to my phone, yet, just like you, God has always been faithful and always walked me through. My hardships haven't been has large as yours and in so saying that, it means that even if or when they are, He will still be there. Thanks for your story of His faithfulness.
ReplyDeleteOh, Janette, I am sorry to hear there is trouble for your family. God is indeed with us, but we still suffer, still feel the pain. You and your family are in my prayers.
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