Tag Archives: worry

Winning the big one

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eurosFor a while I’ve joked about Publishers Clearinghouse being my retirement plan. It was a joke, yet I daydreamed at times about what I would do if I actually won a bunch of money.

Then I realized the other day that coming into a bunch of money wouldn’t do me well spiritually. I need that uncertainty about tomorrow, that unsureness about just how everything will get taken care of. It builds my dependence on God, keeps me from thinking that I can do it all myself. I’m not saying that that’s true for everyone, but I’ve found it to be true for me. Throughout my adult life, I’ve gone through times where I didn’t know where the money would come from… and it came. I’ve also gone through some times when I thought, “OK, we’ve finally saved up some money.” And something has come along to wipe out that amount.

It takes me a while, but hopefully I’m learning the lesson. I’ve prayed the prayer from Proverbs that God would let me be neither rich nor poor. And he has faithfully answered that prayer. Now it’s up to me to continue to trust in him.

(Photo by Miroslav Sárička, www.sxc.hu)

Give your anxiety to God

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There seems to be a lot of stress in the air. Some people still haven’t relaxed since the election, especially if their candidate lost. Others are worried about the economy, while others are concerned about all the violence that seems to be erupting around the world. Then you get the stress that often creeps in at the holidays, especially if we let ourselves get caught up in the materialism that our society wants to push on us. (Did you see that shoppers trampled an employee at Wal-Mart the other day?) Here’s some good advice for stress relief:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Worry won’t do you any good. You’re much better off giving it to God. One of my Hispanic friends shared a proverb with me: “If it has a cure, there’s no point worrying about it. If it doesn’t have a cure, there’s no point worrying about it.” That pretty much sums it up. Worry only makes you sick. The best thing you can do is give it to God.