Overcoming Worry
Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength—carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.”
This quote comes from Corrie Ten Boom. She knew something about worry as a member of the Dutch resistance and protector of Jews in Holland. She was eventually caught, arrested and sent to a concentration camp the last year of World War 2.
Her story and the story of her family in Holland is in The Watchmaker’s Daughter by Larry Loftis. If you need encouragement for today’s problems, read this book. In her story you see the strength of resolve of good against evil. A perseverance in, and gratitude for, the hardship of finding the basic necessities of life…..and seeing God provide for every need. You will see a willingness to break the law because the rightness of their cause—the protection of the Jews and all who were being persecuted for their resistance to the Nazi’s.
Our lives seem leisurely by comparison. But the principles are the same today: strength, perseverance, gratitude, righteous living in the face of the challenges around us and yes, the evils that are elevated in our world today. Every age needs heroes. People who are willing to go against the grain and live with tension because the cause of righteousness consumes them.
Will you be such a person? If so, you must understand the power of worry. Corrie did. She and her family needed just the strength for one day…..then the next….then the next.. And I must note, she continued to run the family watch business, using it as daily contacts with the public and…. the underground. What amazing resilience in the midst of their life in Holland.
What is your job right now? What are your daily challenges in life? Each day worry can steal from us. It robs us of time, clear thinking, and the joy and strength needed to live in the moment. For “moments” are all we have. Live for each day and do not give away today’s strength to the unknown of tomorrow.
There is only one Person who knows tomorrow, and He is worthy of our trust. Listen to what he said: “Seek first the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Jesus
Good word.
You are right, worry is a pandemic affliction, but the Lord provides relief.
Thanks Howard. Good to hear from you. Worry is afflicting us all as we navigate tough times. Ahh, the Lord is good all the time in it..