Many years ago, when I first began my career, a significant person in my life recommended that I stop chewing my nails. “You don’t want people to think you’re not in control – that you don’t have it ‘all together’” he said. I embarked on a philosophy of “fake it until you make it.” I walked around with a mask on – pretending I was someone I wasn’t – letting others see only who I wanted them to think I was – someone I was not. That was in my BC days.
When I was born again, I read Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Through the practice of risk taking, I learned to be me and to let others get to know the real me, warts and all. I’m still practicing.
Worrying comes as naturally to me as breathing. Somewhere inside me – a place I don’t quite understand – there’s this belief that I can control my surroundings, circumstances, and other people. It’s when I find myself dwelling there that I realize that those beliefs are fallacies. I censure myself for doing what comes naturally because it’s a contradiction of Truth.
Worry is defined as a feeling of anxiety, trouble, or mistrust. When I worry, I’m expressing a lack of confidence in Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. He knows my needs before I can identify them myself. He cares about fulfilling them. His timing is perfect. He has shown me this time and time again and yet . . . Opportunities abound for me to practice trusting in Him and placing my full confidence in my Father who loves me and cares about every detail of my life.
Each opportunity He places before me brings me one step closer, in less time than the previous time, to surrender my worry and make mine what He offers - peace.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid,” John 14:27.
