It never was worth while
So, pack up your troubles in your old kit bag
And smile, smile, smile."
(lyrics by George Asaf and Felix Powell)
Okay, let's start 2012 as I mean to go on - forgetting the past, and getting to grips with the future. And along the way, dealing with a few deeply entrenched habits. Here's a good one to start with...
Worry, I am reliably informed, can cause you significant health problems. It raises your blood pressure and can affect your digestion as well as your mind. However, there is a good reason why we act as we do in times of stress...
It's an obvious reaction to an unknown threat - the body goes on high alert. The brain considers a variety of possible outcomes, whereas the body prepares itself for 'fight or flight'. If the 'worry' reflex wasn't there, then I doubt if many species on this planet would have progressed very far. It puts us on alert. It's an automatic response.
However, what sets man apart from the animal kingdom is our ability to reason, to choose how to behave. And, as reasoning beings, we can choose to go our own way - or God's way.
Scripture teaches us to deal with worry in a much different way. We are encouraged to pray. That simple act keeps worry safely under control. In sharing the whole issue with the Lord we find ourselves looking at the issue with fresh eyes. And let's not forget the old saying "a problem shared is a problem halved." Who better to share your problems with?
Try the following structure to your prayers:
1. I'm worried about…
2. ... the worst possible outcome would be ...
3. ... the best thing that could happen would be …
4. Other possibilities to consider?
5. All I can do now is ...
6. .... and leave the rest to God!
I've been encouraged by this simple method of listing all your concerns in an organised manner. It makes it so much easier to subsequently hand them over to God.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.
"Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength." - Charles Spurgeon
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