Happy First Monday in November!
I hope your weekend was exceptional and that you took the time to relax and refresh!
Many of us find ourselves exhausted from worrying about our day-to-day activities. Sometimes we’re burdened by the daily grind, while other times, we have life-changing decisions to make. We look at all the angles, lose sleep over the tiniest detail, and may still find ourselves in a quandary.
Worry manifests in a variety of ways. Our physical health suffers because of the stress we put on ourselves. Often, the pressure has been going on for so long and is so intense that we no longer notice the effects. Our mental and emotional health suffers as we lose focus or try ineffectively to multitask. We become anxious and stressed over small things, and we may even find some extreme or catastrophic situations that don’t warrant the extra emotion.
Our social life might suffer because we’re unable to hold a conversation or tend to withdraw and become reclusive. Our spiritual life could suffer as we speculate about whether or not we’re honorable and faithful, or if we’re wondering who’s got our back. We question the promises – are they really for us. We critique our words and actions – did we mess-up too badly for redemption? Are we smart enough, and is our character in alignment with our best efforts? Are we worthy? The list goes on and on and on. Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch writer who helped to save many lives during the Holocaust. In her book, The Hiding Place, she shared her family’s history and how she found hope during her trials. Her thoughts about worrying are inspiring:
The following passage particularly strikes me, “Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” I don’t know about you, but I really need today’s strength today! It seems that the potential for tomorrow’s sorrows will be there regardless of how much we worry today. The act of worrying appears to be a colossal waste of time and energy. My curiosity led me to ruminate on the thought that, if left unattended, or defaults can quite literally render us incapable of searching for a better outcome. The remedy is intentionality and purpose. Staying in the present and not moving into tomorrow ahead of time.
In Scripture, we read:
“…fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.” Psalm 36:8b (ESV)
“…do not fret; it only causes harm.” Psalm 37:8b (NKJV)
“Do not fret because of evildoers…” Proverbs 24:19 (NIV)
And, from Kahlil Gibran:
“Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but from wanting to control it.”
Finally, Mark Twain shared:
“I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.”
Perhaps a better way to navigate our lives away from the chaos and confusion caused by worry is truly to Fret Not. Leave the concerns, fears, anxieties that might happen tomorrow in the future. Concentrate on intentionally remaining focused on how well we can conquer today. Be present, mindful, reflective, thoughtful, curious, and grateful for the blessings of today. Living without fear and worry is likely to produce much better options with outcomes that promise positivity and peace.
I hope your week is fantastic as you practice releasing the future’s potential sorrows to remain in the present’s strength.
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
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