Blog

For weeks now I’ve been sitting comfortably in my home while a pandemic played out in the media. It was surreal. However, I knew the day would probably arrive when it would suddenly become all too real. Today was the day COVID-19 moved from my TV to my extended family. I have been living this post today and hope it encourages you. It is the second in a series containing excerpts from my book draft.

When we have concerns, it is wise to pray and seek constructive solutions. As Proverbs states, “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” (Prov. 22:3 and 7:12) However, when we worry, we get stuck in our concerns and difficulties, and let those thoughts pitch a tent in our minds. The derivation of the word worry goes back to Old English, and can be used for a dog chewing on a bone. This is a helpful picture. Grasp, tug, gnaw… we wear ourselves out chewing on it, but don’t really get anywhere. As Jesus said, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matt. 6:27) We know we can’t! So keep reading… “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow… Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt. 6:34) Jesus was not saying we should never think about the future, but that we would do well to concentrate on what we need to do today.

Years ago, during an unsettling time in my life, my mantra became “One day at a time.” It really helped me focus on dealing with what each day presented—without stressing over things that could happen or decisions that might need to be made. Jesus’s words helped me then, and I know his words can help us today.

(Suggested reading: Matthew 6:25-34.)