Do you feel like you worry more than you should? Worrying so much that your life feels like it’s spinning faster and faster, and you can’t seem to slow down?
A Night on the Ferris Wheel
For those of you who knew me in my college days, know that I’ve ridden on the famous ferris wheel at Navy Pier, in Chicago, IL. This ferris wheel is massive!
That night, during our college Bro-Sis outing, we all lined up to ride the ferris wheel. Up until this point, I loved ferris wheels, and had no fear whatsoever.
In my group seat was my boyfriend (my husband now) and my good friend from his sister floor. She is from India and she inspires me in so many ways.
Now, imagine the scene…I am at the top of the ferris wheel, with people I love, and suddenly, it stops.
We are stuck at the top of the largest ferris wheel I’ve ever ridden on, and amazingly enough, fireworks light up the sky!
You may be wondering, what is so bad about that?
Yes, it was an amazing experience, until my friend began rocking our group seat back and forth, shouting, “Look at me! Look what I can do!”
If you knew my friend, you’d know that she was doing this to freak us out!
That moment of joy, amazement, worry, and terror of a sudden death by ferris wheel; I will never forget. In the midst of an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime moment, was shear terror.
How can you feel both at the same time?
The Worry Wheel
I tell this story, because it reflects my life as a Christian. In the midst of God’s amazing creation, blessings, protection, and provisions for me and my family, I worry.
BOLD & Beautiful
I worry if we will have enough money.
I worry if my husband is mad at me or not.
I worry if my kids will grow up to love and serve God, when they seem to hate me at the moment.
I worry I will mess up my kids’ lives.
I worry my husband will grow tired of me, and leave.
I worry I will be abandoned. I worry I don’t fit in.
I worry I never will be enough.
Do you get the picture?
The more I worry, the more the wheel in my head spins. The more I worry, the more I worry about.
The more I worry, the more I am depending on myself, and the less I rely on God. The more I worry, the more I am trying to take my place on God’s throne.
BOLD & Beautiful
“What? Wait a minute, I don’t do that,” you might say to yourself.
However, I can’t take credit for this phrase. In a few of my past therapy sessions (yes, even Christians need therapy), my therapist reminded me I am trying to control things I can’t control.
When I am worrying, I am worshipping the things I can’t control instead of praising God and trusting Him for His all-knowing (omniscience), all-powerful (omnipotent), good and loving God, who will take care of me – no matter what.
BOLD & Beautiful
Additionally, worry and caring are not coequal or codependent. Caring about someone, does not justify worrying.
Recently, I have been worrying over a friend of mine. One of my closest friends, and yet, I can’t run in and save her. I am powerless to help her out of her current situation.
Only Jesus is the Savior of the world, not me and not you, either.
Key Scriptures
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
…Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:25, 34 NIV
“Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
Luke 12:26 NIV
“But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.”
Luke 21:14 NIV
Wow, that really puts worry into perspective.
Lord, forgive me for not relying on you for everything. Forgive me to trying to take control of my life, when it belongs to you. Help me see your blessings in my life. Help me to trust you more, and be patient, when I don’t see your hand working. Help me be more like your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.