Posted by Teresa Bell Kindred on April 27, 2001 at 18:35:05:
"I have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened."
Do you know the author of this quote? If not, read on to find out who said it.
A few years ago there was a popular little song that advised us "Don't Worry, Be Happy." Now it seems that has changed. According to the cover of a well known ladies magazine worrying is good for us.
We learn to worry from our parents, the article states. That seems logical. How many times have you heard, "Are you eating your vegetables?" or, "Get in out of the rain! Don't you know you'll catch a terrible cold!" or this one, "You have circles under your eyes. Are you getting enough sleep?"
It probably will come as no surprise to learn that worrying tends to increase as we mature and have children of our own. Suddenly the world is a much scarier place when we have to protect someone other than ourselves.
According to the magazine article, worry is good for us when it's a motivator. In other words, if you're worried about a car wreck and you wear your seat belt as a precaution, you've been motivated by worry to do something good.
Worrying becomes a problem when we allow it to rule our lives. Deciding never to go outside your house again because your uncle was struck by lightening on the golf course, is a decision not based on sound reasoning. Excessive worry can be a signal of serious depression and professional help may be needed to regain control.
Jesus had this to say about worry. "Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Luke 12:27-31KJV)
God knows our every need and if we seek him first, he will take care of the rest. Don't let worry control you, learn to control your worries, because like Mark Twain said, most of what we worry about, won't ever happen.