Just over 20 years ago, jazz singer Bobby McFerrin had a huge hit with the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” The song struck a chord with people not just because it has a catchy tune, but also because it touches on a subject we all struggle with: worry. His message may seem somewhat simplistic: Don’t Worry. Be Happy. And many would argue that in the real world, it’s not always that simple, especially when they feel that their worries are consuming their every waking moment.
The strange thing about worry is that instead of motivating us to take action, it often causes us to withdraw and do nothing except focus on our problems, and so our worry grows; becoming bigger, more oppressive and frightening. It’s true, we can’t always control what happens to us in life, but we can control our actions – how we respond.
Victor Frankl wrote, “We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
When it comes to dealing with worry, we need to keep in mind a very simple truth: we don’t worry about things we’re sure of, only the things we have no control over.
Think of all the things in life you can never be sure of, the things you can’t control: your health, the health of those you love, job security, the decisions your family make. You may have some influence over them, but not complete control. But the one thing you can control is how you will respond to the situations you face in life. You can either face them with worry, doubt and self-pity, or with faith, hope, and love.
Paul said “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.” (Phil 4:6-7)
When worry creeps in and takes up residence in your mind, don’t feel guilty about it, don’t think that your faith is inadequate, just pray – chose to hand it over to God. Because the one thing we can be certain of is that he will listen and respond.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all our understanding, guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.”
All I would add to your fine post is to pray…and then “put legs” to your prayer and do something…
Like many control freaks, this is my struggle. I find it comes not just in areas I can’t control but BECAUSE I don’t have the control and want it. I usually want to see God act NOW vs. waiting on His timing.
I have found that giving it up to God isn’t as hard as LEAVING with Him. But prayer, even if it’s over and over, makes all the difference!
Tina Klinesmith
http://www.getfitwithtina.com
Thank you for your blog today!
-Janis