“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:34 MSG)
Living in Iowa, we have become accustomed to tornadoes. They usually pop up when warm, moist air combines with dry air--creating instability in the atmosphere. We get warnings from weather radios, phone apps, television reports, and sirens. When a tornado warning goes off, we all hurry to our basements. Most of the time, it doesn’t amount to much. However, when a tornado touches down, the resulting damage can be devastating.
Worry is a lot like a tornado. It starts with innocuous ‘what-if’ questions: What-if something bad happens? What-if I don’t have the resources to handle certain situations? What-if I am a failure in life? Self-doubt, fear, and anxiety, all build up creating an unstable atmosphere in our minds.
“Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
The key is to recognize the inefficient thoughts before they gain momentum and cause destruction. It’s also important to realize that we have the power to dismiss detrimental notions from our minds. As soon as a tiny cloud of anxiety pops up on the radar, we need to evaluate its worthiness. If it is not productive, allow the Holy Spirit to blow it away. Do not allow your emotions to build up around a center of fear; instead, let your life be centered around trust in God.
Lord, help us to choose light over darkness, trust over fear, and hope over despair.
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