That ugly and omnipresent thorn called worry! Since it’s a chronic,
recurrent condition, it’s been called the “Worry Disease.” I think worry
must be Satan’s best weapon against man. Our minds are incessantly
preoccupied with our daily cares. During peace-filled, “quiet time”
moments of prayer and reflection we confidently profess our faith to God
and feel His peace. Yet, this is so often immediately forgotten,
preempted by the next worrisome preoccupation. At time, it’s maddening!
Too often our “old nature” chooses to worry rather than to trust God.
Worry is a sin because we aren’t taking God at his Word.
Virtually everyone is stressed out today. We fear various problems
and what they may do to us. For example, I have worked in pharmaceutical
marketing and medical communications for 30+ years and have witnessed
incredible changes in the healthcare landscape. I laugh out loud when I
remember how in the past I used to complain about various working
conditions. However, they were minimal compared to today’s constant
stream of pressures. Now there are insecurities about the marketplace,
the unrelenting ferocity of managed care, stressed-out clients willing
to change their ad agency “on a whim,” and the constant barrage of
economic and socio-political uncertainties. It seems every industry,
both private and government, is beleaguered by economic crises today.
I guess crying in my beard (?) is both selfish and narrow-minded.
Whether we live or have lived in affluence or in abject poverty, we will
always have fears and anxieties. Let’s face it; we live in a fallen
world. We have to deal with it, and there’s only one way do that:
constantly pause and know that God is in control.
When I’m having dark days and am beset by challenges of all sorts, I
put my distress in God’s hands and really trust, really believe. He
always delivers, and the more I trust, the less my discomfort, and the
better the outcome.
Besides entreating the Lord, I must also thank Him. Since the human
race is innately selfish, our conversation with God is often a big,
one-sided “all about me.” But when we balance our requests with
heartfelt thanksgiving, i.e., when it becomes an integral part of our
lives, giving thanks can only diminish our despair and contribute to
inner peace and real joy. It’s so easy to avow faith and to rationalize
it. But faith in action, which means practicing our faith day by day,
moment by moment, is the hard part.
Let’s face it. Every day is a life challenge to varying degrees. The
storms we face-personal, social, work-related, spiritual, or
financial-will always be there. In order to put things into the proper
perspective, there are several actions we can take:
1. Start every day with a thanksgiving prayer. One of my favorites was written by Fr. Thomas Hopko:
We praise You, Lord Jesus for showing us how to live day by day
without fear, serving obediently, always entrusting our lives into Your
care. And we thank you Lord Jesus for showing us how to die, how to gain
the victory, how to attain the crown of life by commending our souls
into the Father’s hands.
2. Repeat the Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner”) for focus.
3. Recite short Bible verses. These can also help to
assuage the anxieties of life whenever those inevitable afflictions
rear their ugly heads. Meaningful verses like the following can really
lift the weight of our woes:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
Be still and know that I am God (Psalms 46:10).
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not upon your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
There is no formula, no antibiotic, no magic elixir for eradicating
worry and fear. It’s a matter of developing childlike faith, a conscious
effort to trust in God. If and when He is willing, that burden will
become lighter as we grow in His wisdom and grace.
Bottom line: There can be peace in our hearts only when we turn to
the One, True Source of peace, Jesus Christ. As He affirmed, “[My] peace
I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I
give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”
(John 14:27).
Every day requires a reaffirmation of faith. If we seek God and His
values, God will provide for us in wonderful ways we can never imagine.
To know the pardon, joy, peace and power that come through Christ, we
must personally receive Him by faith. And if our hearts are to change,
our faith must be real.
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