Worry Puts Fear on the Throne!

Quote:

“Worry is just a dark room in which negatives develop.”

~Tauren Wells

Scripture:

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not fear, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with my righteous right hand.

~Isaiah 41:10

Perspective:

Isaiah 41:10 is a very special scripture to my family.  About six years ago, when my 13-year-old son was seven, my family was on vacation and at a water park waiting in a very long line.  My husband and I were quietly talking about challenges he was having at his then company, which were beginning to create financial struggles for us and of course stress.  Suddenly, my son who we did not know was listening said, “Isaiah 41:10.”  To which we replied, “What did you say?”  He repeated himself but said he did not know what it meant or why he said it, further sparking our curiosity.  When we got to the car and our phones, we looked it up immediately and it turned out to be the perfect scripture for our hearts in that season (and many others!) of our lives, which unbeknownst to us at the time was only going to get worse.  One week from today I am getting a total hip replacement.  I have gone through a variety of feelings in the last few months as I prepare for this major, life-changing surgery.  As with anything for all of us, there are two primary ways to look at a situation: we can accept things and make the best of them or take responsibility and create positive change in the situation. 

As far as my surgery is concerned, I cannot change it unless I want to live in pain for the rest of my life as I limp around, limited to only short distances.  So, that leaves me with one choice, accepting it.  Of course, there are variations in HOW I choose to handle that acceptance.  I can worry myself sick until my surgery and ask, “why me” throughout each day or I can trust God and His plan for my life, putting Him on the throne instead of my fear.  The bottom line is, worry will NOT change anything that is going to happen, it will simply rob me of my peace each day and cause unnecessary stress.  It is very difficult to lay our problems at the cross, to surrender them and let go of our useless grip, trusting fully in God, but it is necessary and truly our only good  choice!  Think back over your life, has worry ever once solved your problems or prevented something you worried about from happening?  The truth is, what we worry about usually does not happen.  I’m not exactly sure why, but I spent much of my life worried that I was going to lose my mom, that she was going to die.  She lived to be 83 and all my worry did nothing to change when and how she eventually died.  Looking back, I realize how much time I wasted, in fear and worried about something, that in reality, I had no control over.

So, as I move into the week before my surgery, I must choose the mindset that is best for me emotionally, physically, and spiritually, and that is one of surrender and trust in the God who created me and already knows the day He plans to bring me to my eternal home.  There is simply no other rational  choice!  Worry, anger, and denial will not work, so why waste precious time on them?  I have usually  been one who makes choices based on facts, I choose based on what is in my overall best interest, what the statistics proved is best for me and my future.  For example, I never smoked because I knew there was nothing good to be gained from doing so, both my parents had lung cancer from their unfortunate choice to do so.  Looking back, I realize that if I had always made choices this way, I would certainly have saved myself needless heartache and trouble.  I have come to learn through life’s experiences and my spiritual growth, that I need to do all I can and leave all I can’t do in God’s hands; if it is His will for my life, it will be. 

Do you remember what you were worrying about on this day last year?  My guess would be that if it wasn’t life-altering, you do not remember it.  If it was life-altering, I am going to guess again and say worry is not what brought you through your struggle, but rather it was choices you made and actions you took to do all you could in the situation.  The rest of it and the outcome were in the hands of the One who is more capable than we can even begin to imagine.  As I look ahead to my last week before surgery, I am trying to focus on what is good, right, and based on truth.  Is it unfortunate that I need to have my hip replaced at age 53?  Yes!  However, it is a blessing that doctors can do a total hip replacement to free me of my chronic pain and that medicine has advanced as it has.  The next three months will not be easy, but they will be worth it, and in the grand scheme of my life when I look back, they will have gone quickly.  I know God is in control and that He and He alone can give me peace through this season of my life, the peace that passes our understanding.   

Life Application:

>What do you need to lay at the cross right now, to give up to God?  What is filling your mind with worry that you cannot control?  Think about all the areas of your life: spiritual, family, relationships, health and fitness, growth and learning, professional, financial, and other if you have one, what are you worrying about in these different areas?  Really contemplate whether your worry is helping or hindering you and your situation; is it improving anything?  If it’s not, and I would guess it is not, then you have to make a choice: will you accept the situation and put in the effort to make the best of it, laying your worries at the cross daily, or will you take responsibility and do all you can to change it for the better.  It won’t be quick and easy but is a necessary move toward you having peace and joy in your life!