I used to be the Wonder Woman of frettin’ and worryin’. I could turn a mole hill into a mountain faster than Superman could leap a New York City skyscraper.
But since discovering Oswald Chambers quote, “All fret and worry comes from calculating without God,” I’ve made a conscious effort to enjoy the peace that comes from placing my frets and worries in God’s more-than-capable hands. (Who wants to calculate anything without God anyway? Surely not me!) And what a change it has made in my personality, in my health, in my marriage and in my over-all outlook on life!
This weekend my daughter flew east and my thirteen-year-old grandson made his first solo flight north. Through prayer I maintained my “spiritual” composure until the TV weatherman reported there would be heavy thunderstorm activity over the mountains. That’s when I found myself fighting an old familiar battle, the battle with frettin’ and worryin’. (I was surprised how quickly the urge to anticipate potential trouble returned.)
But this time I was armed; I knew what to do; I knew where to turn. I knew I had to choose. The entire weekend I could torment myself with dire images of plane crashes and such, or I could call upon my Friend and Mentor, the Holy Spirit, to calm my soul; to fill my mind with thoughts of gratitude and praise. ”God didn’t make no dummy,” as the cliche goes. As a bonus for making the wiser choice, the Spirit sent to my heart, an abundance of joy, and a peace that truly passed all understanding.
Wow, great words of encouragement… I also have the tendency to throw on my “fret and worry cape” more than not. It is true that we attempt to “run things” in our way replacing God and his ability to work out our situation. I mean, in what universe has my worry ever done anything positive? Great thoughts, thanks for sharing.