27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
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.
Reflection
Ok, I am going to date myself just a little bit. I first became a school counselor in the fall of 1994. As I think of this, today I am aware that I have spoken to people about their thoughts, feelings and attitudes now for almost thirty years. In that time, I can say that I have spoken to “worry warriors” of all ages and stages. While of course I have spoken to all kinds of worried students, I have also spoken to anxious and stressed out parents, grandparents and of course teachers, administrators and community members. And a few times, I have been a world-class worrier myself.
In all of it, what is clear to me now is that our worries, whether big or small, never did shift the actual circumstances of whatever it is that we are worrying about. In other words, worrying doesn’t, and never did, change the course of events. As verse 27 asks, “Can any one of your by worrying add a single hour?
Worrying only changes whatever energy we have for doing something else besides our worrying. Of course, try telling this to anyone whose worries currently occupy their time, and they’ll probably want to secretly smack you. In the least, they may think of you as being insensitive to their plight.
Except for Our Lord, because our God wants us to bring our worries back to God’s self!
Still, for worry warriors, it may be hard not to have our worries stall us. But instead, we must remember that our worries and thoughts for the future are God’s specialty.
For those worriers who are especially adept, the thought of letting worry go is so much easier said than the practice of doing just that. But this is also why we call it practice! I urge you to practice different strategies to learn to let go of your worry (and on that note, see below).
When we take our worries to God, we let go in some way our thoughts that over-occupy our minds and let God in. We seek first God’s kingdom and hold the space for God to draw us closer. Now we’ve found a place to let God’s grace help us move forward with freedom and courage to let go.
by Barbara Carlson
For Pondering & Prayer
Do you ever find yourself stuck in a worrying loop? How do you handle your worry? Perhaps you are a worry warrior.
In my practice, I have found different four types of strategies particularly helpful for worry. First, you might consider using, “Thinking Through“ unrealistic worries and asking yourself, “Is it likely… realistic… or can I change this? Secondly “Action” often helps for over-active worriers, like the usefulness of just taking a walk, or tensing our bodies to then purposefully relax the limbs, torso and head. Thirdly there is “Relaxation,” such as enjoying a break or “holiday” (however brief), where we choose to separate ourselves from our worries for a short time. Lastly, try using “Mediation,” which means purposefully pausing our thoughts and minds through quiet and careful breath. There are many resources out there and of course prayer can be a part of all of it.
As Matthew 6:34 adds, …Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.…
Prayer:
Loving God, You love me so much and help me by taking on my worries and fears when I just ask. Even when I struggle to let go, I ask that you come closer to me. Help me to see your love with action toward giving my worries over to you, however I can. Amen.
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