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{"id":145,"date":"2014-10-20T15:28:59","date_gmt":"2014-10-20T15:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ashleywillis\/?p=145"},"modified":"2015-10-08T15:13:21","modified_gmt":"2015-10-08T19:13:21","slug":"hope-for-those-who-worry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/ashleywillis\/2014\/10\/hope-for-those-who-worry\/","title":{"rendered":"Hope for Those Who Worry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\u00a0<\/p>\n

$\"image\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cSo don\u2019t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today\u2019s trouble is enough for today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Matthew\u202c \u202d6\u202c:\u202d34\u202c NLT<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I tend to be a bit of what my parents would often refer to as a \u201cworry wart\u201d. \u00a0I\u2019m not quite sure who first came up with that expression, but nevertheless, it doesn\u2019t make the act of worrying seem very attractive. \u00a0I used to think that the fact that I worried about someone or something meant that I cared more. \u00a0The older and, hopefully, wiser, I get, I realize that this couldn\u2019t be farther from the truth.<\/p>\n

Worry can be overwhelming and paralyzing in our lives. \u00a0I have known people who will not leave their homes due to their worries. \u00a0Many times, I see marriages stay in a catatonic state for years due to the worries of one or both partners. \u00a0When I read Matthew 6:34, it is so clear to me that Jesus is telling us that we cannot withstand the worries of yesterday or tomorrow. \u00a0God has only given us the strength to deal with the challenges of today. \u00a0On the surface, this may not seem very signifciant, but to me, it is freeing. \u00a0It means that I don\u2019t need to be controlled by the worries of my past or future, but I need to have a laser focus on what is at hand today. \u00a0Today is enough to put my efforts towards, and God will help me conquer whatever I may face today.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think that Jesus is telling us to forget about yesterday completely or to not make plans for the future; He is just telling us not to worry about it. \u00a0There is a big difference between thinking about something and worrying about it. \u00a0My husband, Dave, has always encouraged me to flee from worry. \u00a0He shared a wonderful word picture with me that has truly changed the way I look at worrying and the thought process that leads me there. \u00a0He says that is we picture our minds as trees, then we can consider our thoughts to be birds. \u00a0Many birds, or thoughts, will fly over or around our tree, or minds, but we don\u2019t have to allow the birds to make a nest there. \u00a0In other words, we are the gatekeepers of what we allow to dwell in our minds. \u00a0I am sure you have heard the Proverb, \u201cas a man thinketh, so he is\u201d. \u00a0We can so often become what we think about the most, so we need to be mindful of what we allow to reside in our minds. \u00a0For more on this, please read\u00a0 \u201c5 things your ANXIOUS SPOUSE wants you to know\u201d, by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Jesus hasn\u2019t ignored the fact that all of us face struggles, in fact, he acknowledges that we will all have trouble in this life (John 16:33). \u00a0In Matthew 6:34, he is just telling us that we only need to focus on the troubles of today because they are enough for us to face at one time. \u00a0If we consume ourselves with worries of the past and future, we will not have the strength to face today, and we want to have the strength to conquer whatever today brings. \u00a0In fact, whenever we begin to have worry fill our minds, we need to refocus our thoughts on the good things that fill us with strength. \u00a0Philippians 4:8 states this beautifully:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. \u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

There was a time at the beginning of my marriage when I allowed too many worries to nest in my brain. \u00a0Some days, I truly found it hard to breath without having a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach and nausea, just from the weight of the worry. \u00a0 For three years, I found myself in a full-fledge depression that I just couldn\u2019t shake off on my own, and I knew I needed help. \u00a0Through prayer, the support of my husband, and Christian counseling, I was able to rid my brain of all those worrisome nests slowly but surely. \u00a0That was many years ago, but I will never forget the feeling of freedom I received each time I let my worries of the past and future go.<\/p>\n

If you find yourself paralyzed by worry, the kind of worry that makes it difficult to get through the day, please take heart in knowing that you are not meant to live this way. \u00a0You can have freedom from your worrisome thoughts. \u00a0Lean away from these worries and into your Savior. \u00a0Pray that you can shed these worries and embrace the beautiful gift of today.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you are worried or depressed and need someone to talk to, I encourage you to call 1-800-NEED-HIM. \u00a0Also, please find a licensed Christian counselor or pastor that you can meet with in your area. \u00a0Your worries don\u2019t have to dictate or destroy your life!<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"