When It Seems Impossible NOT to Worry

I know worrying is counterproductive to anything we are pursuing and are believing for, but sometimes it’s just impossible NOT to have “spells” of worrying. We can apply “mind over matter” to the task of not worrying and boldly declare: “I will not worry. I will not worry." But then, here it comes again -- those tinges of worry slip through the crack of our heart’s door.

Winston Churchill said, “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never.” That describes the enemy of our souls who doesn't give up on creating anxiety and worry. I’ll never forget the woodpecker that caused us to worry about the side of our home being devoured by this beautiful, yet determined bird. I think Churchill’s quote was the rallying call for that woodpecker that decided the side of our home was perfect for his machine-gun beak exercises. I remember running out the door with a broomstick waving at him like a crazy lady. He’d fly away. Yay! Silence. For one whole minute. I would no sooner go back inside and he was back at it. I ran out the door again and he fluttered away to the neighbor’s fence. I knew he was smirking; I could feel it. By the time I was back inside, he was back at the siding, probably laughing. I don’t remember how we resolved our “bird” issues, but eventually, the machine-gun stopped.

This story, from well over 20 years ago, came flooding back to my memory when I heard someone telling about their own machine-gun woodpecker. Those woodpeckers reminded me of the worries that kept coming to my mind, usually in the middle of the night. The doubts and fears fluttered in, and I would fervently try to figure out a solution. It would be incessant, troubling and, burdensome -- just like that annoying woodpecker. After hours of sleep deprivation, I’d remember: God is God, and I am not, which meant that I had a decision to make. I could continue to let that woodpecker AND my other many worries get to me or I could let go, and let God do what He is best at. What I’ve come to know is worrying gets us nowhere and gives us nothing but sleepless nights and destroys our peace of mind.

God’s Word says: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Aw! Our best defense against annoying birds and circumstances that "drill" on our minds to steal sweet sleep from us, is praying and applying God’s Word to the situation. When we find the enemy drilling holes through constant worry, we can cover those vulnerable places with prayer and God’s Word, which redirects our thoughts and keeps us focused on Jesus. God promises that when we release our worries and turn instead to prayer, He will give us His peace that’s beyond anything we can understand. His peace will guard our hearts and minds against the anxieties that can be as persistent as that woodpecker. The woodpecker eventually went away which is a good reminder to be diligent in prayer and not let worries flutter back and nest in our heads.

Dear Lord, it’s so easy to fall into worry. When our fears and worries are drilling in our minds, help us to stop trying to fix everything ourselves. Please teach us to turn to You in prayer, trust You to be in charge and let Your peace reign over us. In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.

Pray the Alphabet

My son, a 26.2 mile marathon runner (45 of them now), runs without earbuds which, typically, provides for some distraction during a long endurance run. He is just "in the zone" when he runs. So, he got a kick out of me when I told him that when I go on a long run, I sing songs according to the alphabet which helps make the time go by faster. For example: A - "Amazing Grace"; B - "Because He Lives"; C - "Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Alleluia", etc. He said, "That wouldn't work for me -- because I'd slow down just trying to think of songs!" LOL!

I also use a similar strategy for the nights when I might have difficulty sleeping. I turn my thoughts into a prayer. It really is a great strategy.

In 2 Corinthians 11:27, the Apostle Paul lists “sleepless nights” as one of the trials he underwent. Maybe by that, he meant worry, restlessness or insomnia. Then there's Jesus who was so relaxed that when He and the disciples were on storm-tossed waters, He slept right through the whole turmoil. He even seems a bit annoyed when those boys woke Him up. Why didn’t they trust that He would look out for them, even while He was asleep?

Instead of tossing and turning, I’ve found the best use of time when I have trouble following asleep is praying the alphabet with all the attributes of God. For example: A - amazing, adored, awesome; B - beautiful, beloved, bright morning star; C - Christ, creator, crucified, etc. And now, I'm trying another prayer strategy that I read from an article written by Norman Vincent Peal. The strategy is to pray the alphabet, but pray it for others.

For example, starting with A, pray names of friends, some you know, and some you don't even know, like: A -- Andy, Anna, Allen, Ashley; B - Brenda, Bill, Becky, Brice, etc.

By the way, each of these strategies really works for me because rarely do I get very far into the alphabet before I've fallen into a deep, sweet sleep. And at the same time, I like to think my prayers are making a difference in other people's lives -- whether I know what they're going through or even if I know them, but somehow just maybe God is using my sleeplessness to benefit someone in a crisis and they needed me to call out their name.

Another idea is to pray the alphabet with things you are grateful for. For example: A - apples, ankles, antelopes; B - beans, breath, brain.

Proverbs 3:24 "When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."

Of course, you can run using your ear buds and you can count sheep at night if you want to, but if you’re up – and I just might be up with you -- let's pray and be thankful!

Blessings Through Raindrops

Day 154 of Photo Inspirations -- Blessings Through Raindrops

I turned on Pandora and this song by Mercy River was playing.   Oftentimes I listen to songs, but really don't pay too much attention to the words.  But, this time, not only was I hearing the words as though they were straight from heaven, I felt so impressed to play them for my family. Staci immediately said, "Mom, don't you remember how I sang that song when Daddy was so sick?  It was such a great comfort to me."

So, today, I share them with you.  They just may be the words coming straight from heaven to you.  The verses carefully detail how we typically pray.  We ask God to comfort us, protect us, ease our pain.  This song called ”Blessings”, is such a powerful lesson.  Most people think life should be good, and that the ”blessing” is smooth, easy days, being healthy, care-free, and  financially secure.
 
This song tells it better than I can.  Here are the lyrics, and here is the link to this beautiful song.  I hope you listen and watch this video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGniRk_GcLs

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace; comfort for family, protection while we sleep; we pray for healing, for prosperity. We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering, And all the while, You hear each spoken need, yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.

‘Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear. We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near. We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love, as if every promise from Your word is not enough. And all the while, You hear each desperate plea,
and long that we’d have faith to believe.

‘Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

When friends betray us; when darkness seems to win, we know that pain reminds this heart, that this is not, this is not our home.  It’s not our home.

‘Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life, Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy? What if trials of this life -- the rain, the storms, the hardest nights --
Are your mercies in disguise?

Isaiah 41:10
”Don't be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you.”

Yes, God hears those prayers......and answers each and every one -- in His time and His way.  When we understand His profoun love for us, then we'll understand that the "stuff" we encounter (the trials of this life) are His tender mercies in disguise.  He knows that without the trials and learning to seek Him through the pain, we may not know our desperate need for Him.  God is so rich in His mercies and ON PURPOSE to bring about the very BEST for our lives.  So....we trust in Him.....knowing that "ALL THESE THINGS are working together for OUR GOOD......"Romans 8:28.  Thank you, Father God.  Indeed the rain and the storms are your mercies in disguise.