Love from Papa: The Worry Worms
By: Susan Schiller Photo Credit From the series "Love from Papa"
“Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength – carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” taught Corrie ten Boom.
As I was listening to Papa God, I heard this gentle warning about the looming crises I was entertaining in my head:
"Spill out the worries, doubts, and confusion, or they will become worms in the good fruit I'm growing in you. Turn around. Bring your focus on Me. I'm a bright Fire, a consuming flame."
The news media may have us all thinking apocalyptic thoughts on the hour, every hour. We live in a fear-based world, on one level. On a different level, we live here and now in the Kingdom of God, a love-based reality. Every day we get to choose to live in heaven or hell, right here and now based on the thoughts we choose to inhabit our brain space.
If I had a calculator that could track every fear-based thought I permitted to burrow into my mind, would it prove greater than the love-based thoughts that generate joy, peace, love, gentleness, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control – the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)?
What does worry produce? Wormy fruit. Not much good.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a s.ingle hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." — Matthew 6:25-34
One of the best ways I've discovered for combatting the urge to worry is to practice thanksgiving every day, every hour. Heaven is only a whisper away.
What is your best defense against worry? I'd love to hear what works for you! There's a comment box just below, and I'd love to hear what you have to share! Thanks 🙂
With all my love,
Sue
Susan Schiller knows how it feels to lose everything: marriage and family, church and reputation, finances and businesses, and more. Susan's upcoming, interactive memoir, "On the Way Home," tells the story of how she came to be known as "the most abused woman" her counselors had yet met and how she learned to navigate her way out of hell to a rich and satisfying life. In her lifetime, Susan has served in duties ranging from home school mom – to pastor – to full-time deliverance minister – and to Midwest regional prayer coordinator for a large international ministry. These days you can usually find Susan soaking in her favorite hot springs pool, reading a book (or several), blogging, baking bread, or hanging out with her family and friends. You can get a free copy of Susan's upcoming book, "On the Way Home" by registering here.
Copyright 2012, Susan McKenzie, http://TeamFamilyOnline.com. Permission is granted to copy, forward, or distribute this article for non-commercial use only, as long as this copyright byline and bio, in totality, is maintained in all duplications, copies, and link references. For reprint permission for any commercial use, in any form of media, please contact Susan Schiller.
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A great quote from bible on worry that I enjoy.
Proverbs 12:25
Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. (NLT)
There truly is so much knowledge and wisdom in the bible and by reading God's word regularly we can often help ourselves not fall for all the doomsday and negative things happening around us.
Evey
That’s a good word, Evey – thanks for sharing! 🙂
We are meant to love; that is our true self. Worry only brings emotions that we don't need, and that will only take away our joy. You're right: gratitude can bring a person out of a worrisome mood. Susan, you are a woman filled with love. 🙂
Oh Keri… I’d love to meet you one day! 🙂
What an enjoyable read, and a lovely quote. I have a tendencey to be a worry worm. No good for fruit or growth. 🙂
I love Corrie ten Boom’s words of wisdom! Thanks, Tanya, for stopping by and sharing! 🙂
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