The temptation to worry seems to be part of the human condition. Some of us have actually been trained in the
“art” of worrying, being led to believe that in some way it helps in our
management of life. As if worrying about something is a way of rendering it powerless, when of course the opposite is true. "Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" asks Jesus in Matthew 6:27.
I'm comforted by knowing that if Our Lord asked this question, it's because there are others who, like me, need to hear ourselves say "no." I am also glad to know there is something I can do when I'm attacked by anxieties and fears. "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You," says Psalm 56:3. This may sound too simple, but it's actually a good, solid beginning. It places before me a choice. I can focus on worries and concerns, or I can choose to place my trust in God... regardless of how I feel.
"So do not worry," Jesus told His listeners. "Your heavenly Father knows what you need. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." (Matthew 6:31-34)
"Entrust yourself entirely to God," said St. Paul of the Cross; "He is a Father and a most loving Father at that, who would rather let heaven and earth collapse than abandon anyone who trusted in Him.”
"Cast all your worries upon Him, because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
"And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross." (St. Catherine of Siena)
"When you notice that your heart is moving away even the tiniest bit from that inner peace that comes from the living faith-experience of the divine presence in the soul, stop and examine what the cause of this anxiety might be. Maybe it is some worry concerning your house or children, or some situation you cannot change at present. Bury it in God's loving will." (St. Paul of the Cross)
I'm comforted by knowing that if Our Lord asked this question, it's because there are others who, like me, need to hear ourselves say "no." I am also glad to know there is something I can do when I'm attacked by anxieties and fears. "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You," says Psalm 56:3. This may sound too simple, but it's actually a good, solid beginning. It places before me a choice. I can focus on worries and concerns, or I can choose to place my trust in God... regardless of how I feel.
"So do not worry," Jesus told His listeners. "Your heavenly Father knows what you need. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." (Matthew 6:31-34)
"Entrust yourself entirely to God," said St. Paul of the Cross; "He is a Father and a most loving Father at that, who would rather let heaven and earth collapse than abandon anyone who trusted in Him.”
"Cast all your worries upon Him, because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
"And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross." (St. Catherine of Siena)
"When you notice that your heart is moving away even the tiniest bit from that inner peace that comes from the living faith-experience of the divine presence in the soul, stop and examine what the cause of this anxiety might be. Maybe it is some worry concerning your house or children, or some situation you cannot change at present. Bury it in God's loving will." (St. Paul of the Cross)
For Reflection:
Do I have
trouble trusting in God? Perhaps it will help if I
realize that even in the midst of
worries and concerns, I can make the choice to place my trust in God. My feelings may be trying to run my life in
this matter, but I can choose not to let them do so.
A Prayer:
Lord, I may be
having a difficult time trusting totally in You. I know You understand this.
I ask You to heal me, and I choose - in spite of whatever
I may be feeling - to turn the management of my life over to You. Please open my eyes to Your tender
love and concern for me.
My past, O Lord, to your mercy; my present, to your love; my future, to
your Providence!” (St. Padre Pio)
Painting: George Hitchcock, Girl on Her Way to Church
Would you please indicate what translation your Scripture quotes are from.
ReplyDeleteI don't recognize the source. Thanks.
I can try to do that more often going forward. This post is adapted from something I originally wrote a few years ago, and I don't remember what translation(s) I was using. I usually use the Catholic New American Bible 1971 edition. For online publication (in more recent years) I often use the online bibles at http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_INDEX.HTM - and - http://drbo.org/
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