You choose

        Recently, one of our children had a very brief medical scare (brief as in just a couple of hours before they learned all was well. Thank the Lord!).  Our child called later that day to tell me all about it and explained, "I didn't want to call you before I saw the doctor, because I knew you'd freak out and start worrying."  Oh my, that brought conviction all the way down to my toes!  I don't ever, ever, ever want someone I love to fail to share a burden with me out of concern that I'll worry!  No, I want to be a prayer not a worrier!  I want my first response and the meditation of my heart to be faith, not fear.  
         But this little episode sadly reminded me that I've got a looong way to go.  Because let's just admit it right here, I can be a worrier. 
         Yes, I know that worry is a sin, because it's a refusal to trust God.  And because it sucks the life and joy right out of you.  And because deep down, it somehow mistakenly assumes that your plans and ways are better than God's--so therefore this thing you're worrying about better work out the way you want or hope. 
         Worry assumes the worst.  Worry basically removes God from the picture, failing to see that even if the worst occurs, God is still in control, still good, and will still be right there with you in the midst of it all, and that He will somehow, someway, ultimately use it all for your good and His glory. 
           Not to mention, worry does no good!  Seriously, as the Russian spy repeatedly told Tom Hanks in the movie, "Bridge of Spies," when he was asked over and over again if he was he worried or fearful about various possible, terrible outcomes: "Would it help?"
          Does worrying help? 
          Nope!  The answer to that question is a definitive "No."  Worrying about it helps no one, nothing, and it most especially doesn't help the one worrying! 
           Who wants to live this way? None of us!
           But the thing is, we have a choice.  Yes, a choice as to what will be the focus of our thoughts.  Will we marinate in the fear?  Will we meditate on the worry like a cow chewing it's cud?  Or will we choose instead to focus our minds and hearts on God's goodness, God's faithfulness, God's sovereignty, God's power?  Because thing is, we choose.  We choose what we think about, and we choose whether or not we'll worry. 
             I remember reading a long time ago that if you know how to worry, then you know how to meditate on God's Word.  Because worry is turning something over and over again in you head.  So flip the switch!  When that nagging worry starts rumbling around your brain, stop and choose to change the focus on your thoughts.  Pick a specific verse or passage from God's Word and churn that over and over in your heart and mind instead! Or go put on a praise song to God and listen...and maybe even belt it out.  Or don't forget the age-old but ever-effective, "count your blessings!"  Literally, start listing them...even if you have to start with something like, "Well, thank You that I can take this next breath." 
            When you choose meditate on God's Word or on God Himself...when you choose to sing a song of praise rather than to sit in a mound of fears...or even when you simply choose to count blessings rather than worries, it will change everything--because it will change you.  Your mind will start counseling your will to be thankful rather than fearful.  Peace will prevail over anxiety.  Faith will grow.  And before you know it, joy will bubble up and over...and worry absolutely cannot compete with joy. 
             So if there are any fellow worriers out there, it's high time we stop allowing fear and anxiety to rob us of joy, peace, and trust in Almighty God.  We have the choice as to what will be the meditation of our hearts.  Let's tell fear to take a hike and choose faith.  Choose the Word rather than worry.  Choose a song of praise rather than a dirge of anxiety. Choose to count blessings rather than fears.  And let's start choosing today.
              To God be the glory.