14.31 hours in a week. 744 hours in a year. 45, 243 hours in a lifetime. 1,885 days in a lifetime. 5.2 years in a lifetime. In my lifetime. In your lifetime. Worrying.
And that’s just the average.
I confess that I spend too much time worrying. Probably more than average. And yet — the more I tell myself NOT to worry — the more I find myself worrying. It’s a chronic, crushing, consuming cycle.
14.31 hours in a week. 744 hours in a year. 45, 243 hours in a lifetime. 1,885 days in a lifetime. 5.2 years in a lifetime. In my lifetime. In your lifetime. Worrying.
Here’s an invitation for your heart & mine — to spend that time much more wisely. By trusting in the One who has promised to bring beauty from ashes & joy in the mourning, the One who transforms our worry to worship, our tears of lament to songs of praise.
There are difficulties, diseases, hardships, heartbreaks, trials, tragedies, roads marked with long-suffering — when we can not see — how God will work all things together for good — for God to do abundantly, exceedingly, immeasurably more than we ask, think or even imagine.
The root of worrying is found in these few words — when we can not see.
When we can not see.
But my friends — THIS is the very definition of faith — faith is the promise of what is hoped for — what is yet unseen — Faith is trusting when we can not see.
So we have to make a choice. To trust, to rest, yes even to rejoice in God’s faithful promises — the One who has promised to bring beauty from ashes & joy in the mourning, the One who transforms our worry to worship, our tears of lament to songs of praise.
Through the years I have learned — through my own journey on the road marked with long-suffering & worrying in the waiting — God is faithful to be present as I wrestle with doubt — God is faithful even when my faith is fading — God is faithful to give strength in the waiting — when I can not see.
God has been faithful to meet me. In the mourning, in the waiting, in my wilderness wanderings, in the drought & the darkest valleys, in my laments.
God has been found faithful.
And yet I am found worrying.
Yes, I worry when I can not see how God will work all things together for my good.
And yet I remember how God has worked all things together for my good.
I recently wrote these words to a dear friend. A dear friend wrought with worry —
“God does give us more than we can handle. But God also gives us His presence IN the midst of what we can’t handle.
“So I’m preaching Gospel to myself, and my restless heart is called to rejoice…
“Rejoice always — pray continually — give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I give thanks not for every circumstance, but for God’s faithful promise to be with me, before me, behind me, beside me IN every circumstance!”
When you are wrestling with worry.
When you are wrought with worry.
Even so — you do not need to be afraid.
For when the waters rise — when the storms rage — when faith is fading — you must lift up your eyes to the One who is faithful to remain before you, behind you, beside you, lifting you up — in the darkest valleys facing your deepest fears, in the deserts of doubt, in the wilderness wandering —
God will strengthen your heart, your hope, your faith, your songs of praise — even if it remains a weary Hallelujah, a lament through tears with white-knuckled clenched fists barely holding on.
14.31 hours in a week. 744 hours in a year. 45, 243 hours in a lifetime. 1,885 days in a lifetime. 5.2 years in a lifetime. In my lifetime. In your lifetime. Worrying. ***
Here’s an invitation for your heart & mine — let us choose to spend that time much more wisely.
By trusting in the One who has promised to bring beauty from ashes & joy in the mourning, the One who transforms our worry to worship, our tears of lament to songs of praise.
May it be said of me. Hallelujah & Amen.
*** See further study summary at http://blogs.psychcentral.com/nlp/2013/02/top-30-biggest-worries/