At what point does concern grow into worry? Can we pinpoint the moment when our concern grows into an obsession that has no solution?
I think what matters is what we decide to do with what may be a very valid concern. We can determine if there is a way to fix it or not. Then, if there is no way to fix it, we can either leave it up to God and faithfully wait for his answer to the concern or decide to keep thinking and ruminating over it.
I am one that tends to worry. I want to know the answer now. I don't want to wait for the solution. I don't want to watch without any control over something I think I can answer. No, I want to make everything fit nicely into a box that I can carry around and place where I want it. The unknown does not fit into my box. So, I try to force it there.
I think we worry a lot about things that are ridiculous to worry about. In the grand scheme of things, in light of an eternity with the most beautiful eternal being, we decide to worry about how much money we have, our jobs, and our kids instead of living a life full and blessed as God intended. You might think it is fine and normal to worry about our kids, but I don't think it is. I think it is absolutely normal to be concerned for them, but not pleasing to God to replay their issues in our minds over and over again. I don't think it is healthy to push our ideas of what we think will make them happy onto them, either. That is birthed from worry. Worry will ultimately push our children, families and everyone away from us. Worry is anxiety, and anxiety demonstrates a lack of faith.
I am saying these things knowing full well how anxious I can become, but I also know that God is gracious and patient. He places us in various situations and circumstances to help us grow our faith. He gives us opportunities to learn to rely on him. We don't become people of faith without listening to him, waiting with him and relying on him to carry us through the unknown, scary places. How many of us can say we are truly content? I don't think many people in this country feel that way.
I will never forget meeting a young African boy when I went to Kenya many years ago. This 12 year old boy made me so happy, because he was happy. He had lived on the streets most of his life and found his way to a boys' home after living a life of hardship abandoned by everyone that was supposed to love him. All he had was Jesus, and it was evident by the contagious smile on his face and the peace that seemed to gush from within like a fountain of gold. He didn't have everything figured out. He just knew God would provide. This young man had the wisdom of an 80 year old and the heart of an angel. I will never forget Juma. I left Africa wanting to live a life like that.
I still think about him and joy floods within. I barely knew him, but the blessing of knowing someone with that kind of faith continues to change me.
I think what matters is what we decide to do with what may be a very valid concern. We can determine if there is a way to fix it or not. Then, if there is no way to fix it, we can either leave it up to God and faithfully wait for his answer to the concern or decide to keep thinking and ruminating over it.
I am one that tends to worry. I want to know the answer now. I don't want to wait for the solution. I don't want to watch without any control over something I think I can answer. No, I want to make everything fit nicely into a box that I can carry around and place where I want it. The unknown does not fit into my box. So, I try to force it there.
I think we worry a lot about things that are ridiculous to worry about. In the grand scheme of things, in light of an eternity with the most beautiful eternal being, we decide to worry about how much money we have, our jobs, and our kids instead of living a life full and blessed as God intended. You might think it is fine and normal to worry about our kids, but I don't think it is. I think it is absolutely normal to be concerned for them, but not pleasing to God to replay their issues in our minds over and over again. I don't think it is healthy to push our ideas of what we think will make them happy onto them, either. That is birthed from worry. Worry will ultimately push our children, families and everyone away from us. Worry is anxiety, and anxiety demonstrates a lack of faith.
I am saying these things knowing full well how anxious I can become, but I also know that God is gracious and patient. He places us in various situations and circumstances to help us grow our faith. He gives us opportunities to learn to rely on him. We don't become people of faith without listening to him, waiting with him and relying on him to carry us through the unknown, scary places. How many of us can say we are truly content? I don't think many people in this country feel that way.
I will never forget meeting a young African boy when I went to Kenya many years ago. This 12 year old boy made me so happy, because he was happy. He had lived on the streets most of his life and found his way to a boys' home after living a life of hardship abandoned by everyone that was supposed to love him. All he had was Jesus, and it was evident by the contagious smile on his face and the peace that seemed to gush from within like a fountain of gold. He didn't have everything figured out. He just knew God would provide. This young man had the wisdom of an 80 year old and the heart of an angel. I will never forget Juma. I left Africa wanting to live a life like that.
I still think about him and joy floods within. I barely knew him, but the blessing of knowing someone with that kind of faith continues to change me.
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