"Worry, like a rocking chair," said Vance Havner, "will give you something to
do, but it won't get you anywhere." Or as somebody else has said, "Worry is the
advance interest you pay on troubles that seldom come."
According to Ken Anderson, nine times out of ten, the worrying about something
does more damage to the one who worries than the thing he or she is worrying
about.
Anderson continues, "Modern medical research has proved that worry breaks down
resistance to disease. More than that, it diseases the nervous
system—particularly that of the digestive organs and of the heart." Concern is
needed to keep us on track with our responsibilities, but worry, like stress, is
a killer.
An examination of 500 patients in a British clinic showed that more than
one-third of their visual problems were caused by emotional tension. And a
survey of some 5,000 university students showed that worriers get the lowest
grades.
The word "worry" comes from an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning to strangle or to
choke. While we need to be attentive to life's concerns, worrying about them
"chokes" the joy out of life. Worrying is like driving a car with one foot on
the accelerator and the other foot on the brake.
One antidote for worry is trust and trust is a choice. When things aren't going
well and I am prone to worry, I keep praying until the storm passes, "Dear God,
I choose to trust you in this situation no matter how I feel." In time my
feelings catch up with my choice and the worry gives way to calm.
Meaningful worship, supportive relationships, sharing my feelings with a trusted
friend, physical exercise, proper diet, deep breathing relaxation exercises and
sufficient rest all help--PLUS learning to pray about the causes of our worry
and not just the symptoms is a major key in learning to win over worry.
All the water in the world
However hard it tried,
Could never, never sink a ship
Unless it got inside.
All the hardships of this world,
Might wear you pretty thin,
But they won't hurt you, one least bit
Unless you let them in.
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please
authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances
dictate.
Cited on Daily Encounter
www.actsweb.org/detoday
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