I want to declare this week as Worry-Free Week. While reading Plan B by Pete Wilson I ran across the following blurb by Earl Nightingale, comparing worry to a fog:
It (worry) can keep us from seeing things as they really are. He points out that a ‘dense fog covering seven city blocks, to a depth of 100 feet, is composed of something less than one glass of water. Categorizing our common worries, he said, ‘40% of the things we worry about never happen. An additional 30% are things that happened in the past and can’t be changed anyway. Needless concern about our personal health occupies 12% of our worries, and 10% of our worries are petty, miscellaneous items. In other words, 92% of worries are pure fog with no substance at all. That leaves about 8% of our worries as legitimate matters worthy of our concern.’
I think you will agree with me that every day has its own set of “worry-markers” so why in the world do we want to add more to one day by borrowing from one to add to another? In his Sermon on the Mount Jesus had a pretty long passage about worry in Matthew 6. He finished it with these words: “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” In several passages of Scripture we are told “don’t be anxious” i.e. “don’t worry about things.” I sort of wonder if when we worry about things if we are not basically telling God, “God, I know you told me not to worry but since I honestly don’t believe you are in control, I am going to.”
So…I am declaring a worry-free week. Too much? Then how about a worry-free day? Start with today and make today a day you turn over to God. Any thoughts you have? I would like to hear them. But the ultimate question is: will you join me today?
On a side note: thanks so much for all of you who prayed for my safety on my trip (I logged 915 miles in my driving. The best thing I did was break it up) and for the morning worship with Byron helping me. I think it went well. When I came back I had over 50 posts in my Google Reader. If I was to try to catch up it would take me forever. I read them all but responded to very few. I will be back to commenting this week. (Bet you can’t wait!) 😉
Well I am up for this challenge my friend…..
Thanks! Oh, and how is Pete’s book? I have it in my cart at Amazon….
Fantastic Michelle! Keep in touch as you go throughout your day/week. I am less than 1/2 way through and it is a great read. For a really good review check out these two links: http://30secondrule.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/grasping-at-plan-a/ and http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/2010/05/14/book-reviewplan-bpete-wilson/ They will give you a great idea. Thanks for the comment and “enlisting.” BTW: the link I gave you for the first one is a story relating to Plan B but he also has a link he gives where you can read his review of the book.
I’m tempted to go even further and declare every single day in my future “worry-free.” After all, Jesus said “Be anxious for nothing…it will not remove a strand of hair.” (paraphrased).
So thanks for this lovely reminder. I also enjoyed reading the blurb about the dense fog.
Hi cycleguy,
Glad your trip was good. That was alot of miles but I think that your the kind of guy that puts yourself out for others.
Sure, I will join the one day or one week worry free practice exercise you mention here. Is worry free defined as not bringing one day’s concerns or perceived troubles into the next days’ thinking?
I’ll probably have to watch myself to be conscious if a worrying thought comes into my mind. Then I will have to get rid of it. (in the name of Jesus of course) 🙂
I think that your blogs and comments are great for getting thoughts going. Putting out some challenges. A very good moderator, mediator, host,etc you are a person who can bring a number of different people together. thank you for this ministry.
Jaycee: if we could only declare every day and live it out. What a difference it would make in us and through us! The blurb was an eye-opener. Thanks for coming by.
Linda: your idea is correct. Not only not carrying over into the next day but also not allowing the idea of worrying to gain a foothold. Thanks for your kind words. From the outset I have hoped my blog will be a place for discussion-pro and con-of ideas, beliefs and thoughts. I am honored that you think I am a good host.
I am in. Starting NOW…why am I already worrying about what I didn’t get done while responding to this blog and doing my own, urggg..Ok, I am back. No worries.
I have come to love Earl Nightingale’s illustrations. I like this one and would love to take up this challenge.
BTW – I do not think I have heard this from Nightingale before and I have heard a lot from him.
Thanks!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever” (Heb. 13:8). That means He will be doing the same thing tomorrow that He was doing yesterday. If you have any question about the future, look at the past. Did He sustain you then? Don’t worry–He will sustain you in the future as well.
I’m also up for the challenge….but I’m worried I might fail:-)
Tom: No worries. I am sure your blog will be a good one.
jim: Welcome to the challenge. Glad it was a new illustration for you. Thank Pete for including it in his book. 🙂
Ike: good Scripture. Poor humor. 😀 Actually I suspect that is what a lot of folks will feel like. Hope you are healing.
it’s a good day to start 🙂 hopefully i’ll be able to go through the week, but then, i won’t worry about not worrying 😀
glad you’re back 🙂
I tend to think some may have it easier than others in this category. I tend not to worry much about anything. Trust me when I say that I know it is NOT “spirtual superiority”. I think i convert my “worry” energy into frustration energy. I don’t worry much, but do tend to get frustrated with circumstance and people easily… –For me, can I declare it a FRUSTRATION-FREE week?
Zee: One day at a time. 🙂 Thanks. Glad to be back.
Ryan: just remember that I know your boss. I can ask her about her your frustration free week. Besides, you are on call all week. Of all weeks to start! That is like an alcoholic saying, “I am going to stop drinking. I have three parties to go to this week though.” Talk about tough. Talk about tough having a frustration free week! I will be praying for you. 🙂
I’m in. Although I fall more into techgeek(Ryan?)’s field there are still things that worry me.
My biggest worry is my own phobia…not sure of its actual name, but I fear a structure will not support the amount of weight placed on it. It worries me all the time to the point that I will leave a room or reposition myself in a location that I feel is more strongly supported. (Hey I never claimed I was not weird!)
Dusty: Oh no two of you!! 🙂 Trying to figure out what we can call that phobia. Maybe foundation phobia? So you are better on the ground floor?
Definitely better on the ground floor, but I still worry about what is on the floor above me…LOL.
So…have you ever found out a name for it? Is it a space phobia? A above & below phobia? Just curious.
No idea. I guess it could be related to space/claustrophobia/heights. Heights is weird though cause I can stand with my toes hanging off a cliff with no issues.
My wife has given it a name: Crazy.
Right there with you Bill. Will start with declaring today a worry free day and then do the same tomorrow…
Dusty: the old saying “if momma ain’t happy ain’t nobody happy” pops to mind so i will side with her. 🙂
Michael: one day at a time Michael.
Hi cycleguy,
Sometimes I have a fleeting worry and then I remind myself of God’s word and provision and it goes.
last night and for part of today it has been different. I felt kind of swamped with concerns about my legal case, my family, etc. These matters are back in my face again because of deadlines, courtdates etc.
I had to really try and get ahold of my mind and thoughts. I didn’t sleep well either. What I finally did at around 3:00 am in the morning was hold my head and ask God to take control of my mind. What went in it and what I was thinking about. That helped me to settle down but I was still awake when the birds started chirping early this morning.
Right now I’m good. I don’t appear to be worrying about anything. I’m expecting a better night tonight:) If not, I’ll be doing some warfare tonight in the name of Jesus:)
Linda: sorry you are going through so much right now. got this early Tuesday morning so am hoping you had a good night’s sleep. Will pray for you as well.