Don’t worry about tomorrow. In real life, how does that work? I just made a grocery list in order to prepare meals for the next several days. I need to get some writing projects finished because of deadlines coming up. I have a “to do” list longer than today.
We’re preparing for our son’s wedding in a couple of months. I have just passed the one-year cancer-free check-up, but the risk of recurrence for my type of cancer is greatest in the first two years. I have one more year to go. What if …? My husband is working too many hours every day, six or seven days a week. What if …? We will retire in a few years, but don’t have much money saved up ….
I could write pages of “what if” questions. They range from minutiae to great life drama. I could focus on any one, or all, of them and make myself sick. We know that stress either causes or exacerbates many illnesses and physical “conditions.” If the past few days were a test for me in this area, I failed with a capital “F.”
I’m the person people say they look up to because of the positive attitude I seemed to have throughout my cancer. Because I love to help others grow in their spiritual walk and because of the Bible knowledge I’ve gained. But there are times when I am a walking, talking disaster.
None of us ever becomes so mature that we don’t need to remember Who is in charge. The Lord is wise, and His words are soothing to us when we have allowed our thoughts to run ahead. He gently reigns us in, back under His wings where He can take care of us.
How does it work in real life? Choosing not to focus on the “what ifs.” Choosing to meditate on verses like this throughout the day. Choosing to trust God instead of the newspaper headlines. Remembering to close my mouth instead of blithering about my worries. We paraphrase this verse when we say, “Just take one day at a time.” God said it first, and it’s still true today.
Kathryn Graves has found that genuine beauty comes only from the Creator living within and seeks to lead women and girls to the Source of that beauty. Kathryn writes devotions, Bible studies, and life stories. Kathryn has a B.A. in psychology, is a CLASS graduate, and a pastor’s wife. Kathryn also writes at kathryngraves.com.
How do you deal with the “what ifs” in your life? Be sure to leave a comment below–I’d love to hear from you!
