Hi
Today’s Holy Nougat is inviting us to assess our handling of issues which could cause worry.
““So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Matthew 6:34 NLT
Who doesn’t plan for their tomorrows? Even the most carefree and ‘disorganized’ persons make plans beyond the moment. So obviously, this is not quite about planning.
When old wounds have not healed properly or entirely, I believe worry can become part of our protective mechanisms. We anticipate the worst case scenario, the impact and anticipate the consequences – emotional and/or physical. And to some degree, that makes sense.
But when we overreact by revisiting the pain (sometimes unconsciously), or anticipating the trauma without
A. handing it to The One Whose portfolio it is
B. planning for a positive outcome;
it is likely that worry has become our friend.
The thing is, worry hardly ever visits for a brief moment. Uh uh! Worry tends to visit with loads of baggage and if we’re not conscious, it takes FULL residence; even to the extent of inviting some friends – Doubt and Fear (oftentimes Inadequacy and even Low Self Esteem).
Ironically, at that point we may find ourselves thinking about solutions – To hide the evidence of our worries (from ourselves or significant others), and we might assume unnatural and unnecessary actions including violence substance abuse and/or other forms of self harm. It might not have been our starting point; nor the obvious response for all of us, but it has happened.
The deeper irony is that Christ offers an easier way.
Firstly, He says, ‘Take a load off’. Leave tomorrow’s stress alone.’ For, if we are not careful we will worry twice – and with nothing to show for it except wrinkles and weight gain or weight loss.
Then He says, ‘Tango with the issues of today, today’. And implied in that is the understanding that He is offering to help us work it out.
That doesn’t mean that we fail to plan for the future. Nor does it suggest that we don’t apply risk management. But it does mean that when our plans are being done, we start WITH God’s involvement and invite clarity. And also that we seek God’s guidance for where things niggle us along the way or went awry in the past.
As stated before in previous reflections; we keep it real and stay connected to our Solution source.
Good morning
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
