Toil and Trouble

“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.” Philippians 4:6 Amplified Bible

“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

A worry stone. They sell like hotcakes. Some are smooth agates, some are shiny crystals, some are delicately painted but they’re all to hold and help one’s anxiety and promise a glorious future. They’re shiny and pretty. There’s angel cards in a lovely box. You pull a card and that’s what your angel will help you overcome for the day. Checking the daily astrology report is common. There’s something comforting about holding onto something when anxious.

I’d rather go to the Creator of All. I’m going to the top. I’m in a meeting with the Boss. I’m trusting the One who has the “whole world in His hands.” You can have your rock, paper, star report but they don’t work for me. Or so I’d like to think.

Anxiety. It’s worrying about the future.

I stumble in my faith frequently with profound anxiety. The television networks know this. Social media knows this. News outlets know this. (Ephesians talks about the cosmic powers and spirits of the air).The Father of All Lies knows this. And I buy it hook, line and sinker. Worry! Anxiety. Paralysis.

That’s what worry does. Paralyzes.

Jesus counseled that today has enough worries, don’t worry about tomorrow. AA counsels us with One Day At A time. Jesus prayed for today’s bread and deliverance from today’s evil. We bring our thoughts back to this moment. This day. The day may be like the storm Peter tried to walk and then prayed, “Lord, save me!” Maybe that’s all we can do right now. Maybe we pray, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Maybe we pray, “Lord, help me.” Then we take one trembling step.

Yes, we prepare. Yes, we pray. Yes, we encourage each other as long as it is called today. Yes, we are thankful for our lives, families, work and health. We live, we work, we celebrate and take a baby step into today. The future is the Father’s.

Musings

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” Bil Keane, the Family Circus creator.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We may have to pray hundreds of times today because of the anxieties in this world, but that’s okay. You want us to do this and to be specific in our request with thanks.

Thank you for today. It really is all we have and all we can manage. We manage because you promised not to leave us or forsake us and if honest, we look at the many times you’ve brought us through. When we are filled with anxiety, we can’t see opportunities, affection, creativity and hope. As Peter said, “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” We gratefully cast.

Amen.