My happy for today: I haven't said anything here, but I've been super sick with a bacterial infection since the end of January. I saw the doctor this afternoon, and he has released me from care. Woo-Hoo! I still have a while to heal, but I'm feeling so much better! During those times of fever and sweating and nights of no sleep, I fretted about having this infection go into my blood and that I would be damaged or die from it. I finally had to let it go . . . whatever was going to happen was going to happen with or without me fretting about it. But the good news is, that I am on the mend and I think it's been because I've chosen to focus on the positive and do what I can to help myself.
I have long suffered with anxiety and been plagued with worry. There are several scriptures in the Bible that I like to meditate on or remember when I get in circumstances and I find myself aimlessly wondering/worrying/fretting. This particular one has been very helpful to remind me to stop focusing on ME and focus on someone else . . . it's amazing how quickly the anxiety and worry melts away when I purposefully change my focus.
Luke 12:24-34
Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more. Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself. Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can’t go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
There are also a few quotes that have been helpful as well.
Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength. - Corrie ten Boom
Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere. - Erma Bombeck
I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about? - Henry Ford
There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever. - Mahatma Gandhi
Drag your thoughts away from your troubles . . . by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it. - Mark Twain
Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. - Benjamin Franklin
There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will. - Epictetus
Maybe some of these quotes will help someone who struggles like me - yes, I STILL struggle with worry, but I'm getting better at capturing those anxious thoughts and like Maureen said, putting them away, focusing on what actions I can take and/or choosing to focus on the good, beautiful things in the world.
