From a blog Planting of the Lord.....


Well, today's entry is all about worry. And the worrying gene? It runs strong in my family. My mother has it. Her mother had it. I have it.

I love a quote from Max Lucado's book, Come Thirsty, about worry:

When was the last time you solved a problem by worrying about it? Imagine someone saying, "I got behind in my bills, so I resolved to worry my way out of debt. And, you know, it worked! A few sleepless nights, a day of puking and hand wringing, I yelled at my kids and took some pills, and - glory to worry - money appeared on my desk." 

It doesn't happen! Worry changes nothing. You don't add one day to your life or one bit of life to your day by worrying. Your anxiety earns you heartburn, nothing more. 

Regarding the things about which we fret: 

• 40 percent never happen  

•  30 percent are in regard to unchangeable deeds of the past 

•  12 percent focus on the opinions of others that cannot be controlled 

•  10 percent center on personal health, which only worsens when we worry about it

•  8 percent concern real problems that we can influence.

Worry does us NO good at all, and yet...we keep on doing it.

I just discovered a great acronym that helps her remember how damaging worry really is:

Worry Only Robs Rest from You

She goes on to share,

"Worry robs us physically, leaving us exhausted. 

Worry robs us emotionally, leaving us anxious.

Worry robs us mentally, leaving us scattered.

Worry robs us spiritually, leaving us depleted." 

I can definitely identify with feeling exhausted, anxious, scattered, and depleted...like, just last week! So what's a person to do? Especially when that worry gene runs so strong in the family.

I need to turn to God's promises!

"Not only does God want to give us peace that surpasses our understanding; He wants to surpass our need to understand with promises that are bigger than our problems. Psalm 55:22 tells us, 'Turn your burdens over to the Lord, and He will take care of you.'"  ~A Confident Heart, pg. 172

I need to boss my heart around!

"I admit I have a tendency to be a little more bossy when I am stressed and worried too. However, I've learned that instead of bossing others around, I need to boss my heart around. I don't have to go to the pit of discouragement and pull others in with me. That is never part of God's plan - nor mine."  ~A Confident Heart, pg. 173

This means telling my heart the TRUTH of God's Word, no matter what my feelings may be, no matter what circumstances may say.

And I need to spend some time with Jesus!

"Sometimes we can get into the habit of serving God more than we are seeking Him, and we end up distracted and depleted." ~A Confident Heart, pg. 174

I need to let Him slow me down, change my perspective, remind me of truth...just plain ol' love on me! I need to CHOOSE to spend time with Him. As in, ON PURPOSE and not just leave it to chance.

The thing is, most of the things I worry about, when I get on the other side of them? I see that the Lord had everything under control. He had a plan. And even if things don't turn out the way I wanted, I always see that He stayed right by my side the whole time.

I may come from a long line of worriers, but that doesn't mean I have to continue the legacy. My children and grandchildren may not have been totally thrilled to discover this about their father.?!  I am very happy about who my Father is. :) And with Him as my Father....well, there's no reason to worry! And I'm gonna keep bossin' my heart around with that truth.