We Worry Too Much

The picture below was taken by one of my ex-students who visited Mongolia in September 2007. What do you see in the picture? Play or Danger? Fun or Fear? The answer depends on which perspective you are coming from; that of an adult or a child.

Can you remember when life was joyful? When we were younger, we were ignorant of many things. But we were happy. “I neither expected much nor needed much. Life was meant to be enjoyed, not endured. When did everything get so serious?” , asked Swindoll (p.11). He answer? When we become an adult, we are told that we need to be responsible, and this includes “... living in a world of reality, and not everything in the real world is funny. Some things are extremely difficult." ... Adulthood being synonymous with responsibility, and reality includes difficulty; thus, we have no business enjoying life.

Yesterday, I came across a tongue-in-cheek article, "How to Waste Your Time this Year?" in which five proven time-wasters were presented. That’s right, if you follow the author's advice, you will make absolutely no progress this year. Guaranteed! On top of the list of the time-wasters is:

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Photo: Courtesy of CHZ (Mongolia, Sep 07)

Worry a lot.

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Start worrying earlier in the morning and intensify your anxiety energy as the day passes.

He even provides some tips if you are short on a supply of things to worry about?

• Check the newspaper, television, or Internet. You’ll have enough bad news, doomsday reports, human tragedies, and late-breaking calamities to keep your heart and mind churning all through the night.
• Something he has found helpful is to do a lot of reflecting on your failures and mistakes. If you’re a parent, think long and hard about what you should or could have done for your children. That will give guilt the green light it’s been waiting for. To add a touch of variety, you might also call to mind some things you should not have done. Regret fuels worry in many creative ways.
• Make a list of the things you don’t like about your marriage or your job.
• Consider the possibility of a leaky roof, car trouble, and aging.
• Hanging around negative people is another secret you won’t want to forget this new year.
  

"If you plan all this right, you’ll be loaded with a full pack of worries long before February comes. Start now! Those potential ulcers need fresh acid" - Charles Swindoll

Really, who wants to do that? No one aims to run in circles—it just happens. So, let’s get serious. Beware of the time-wasters! Instead, pray more than worry. Be flexible. Give more. Be content with the way God made you. And let the oil of forgiveness loosen your grip on those grudges. In other words, make this year your most productive ever.

Source: http://www.insight.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=9033&news_iv_ctrl=1961

Photo: No worry, peaceful Froggy

Scripture for the Day: Philippians 4: 6-7

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.

...

Watch children running around the playground and you will soon be thinking, “they’re having so much fun”. Why aren’t you having more fun? Children run around and play as if by instinct. They do not question whether they should have fun, they just go out and do it. Adults have responsibilities, we are serious. Sometimes children know better than we do. Having a little fun, a time for pure silliness and happiness, is an essential part of everyday (Niven, p. 148).

Reference:

Swindoll, C. (1992) Laugh Again – Experience Outrageous Joy.