The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
God has blessings in store for all the days of your life
I once read a study that was conducted on people who lived to be one hundred years old. The researcher found that these people lived long and contented lives for the following reasons: They kept busy. They used moderation in all things. They ate lightly and simply. They got a great deal of fun out of life.
They were early to bed and early up.
They were free from worry and fear.
They had serene minds and faith in God.
It was Shakespeare who said, “A light heart lives long.” Therefore, let’s make peace and contentment a priority in our lives. Let us feed our mind daily with positive affirmations, inspiration and prayer. Let’s think creatively, constructively, expectantly, and above all, optimistically.
However, many people are plagued with fears and worry. These destructive forces bring confusion and turmoil. They rob us of power; paralyze our thinking faculties, and blind one’s thoughts, moods, and efforts. Fear and worry destroy ambition, ruin enthusiasm and selfconfidence, and rob people of happiness and efficiency.
Worrying doesn’t solve anything. For the more we worry, the less we can achieve. Worry weakens our drive and fortitude; it can stifle us and bring about inaction. And when we chronically worry, it can occupy our attention so much that it destroys our ability to think creatively and to focus on solutions.
Once, I heard about a woman who was a chronic worrier. Then, she had an idea. For one full year, she decided to keep a record of her worries. Each day, if a worry plagued her, she would write it on her ‘worry list.’ As you can imagine, as the months marched on, her list became quite lengthy.
After 365 days, these were her findings: Most of her worries were about circumstances that never happened. Some of her anxieties were related to past regrets and decisions that couldn’t be changed. A few of her worries were manufactured in her own mind. While some of her uncertainties had to do with negativity from others. The conclusion? There were legitimate reasons for only five percent of her worries.
After this experiment, the woman realized that daily worrying didn’t get her anywhere. As a result, she decide to adjust her thoughts and her attitude; living moment-to-moment, and concerning herself with the 24 hours that were stretched out before her. As this woman stopped worrying about ‘past history’ and what ‘might happen’ in her future, she found that her mind was not clouded or distracted. Thus, each day, she accomplished more. I like this classic Indian poem by Kalidasa that reads, “For yesterday is but a dream and tomorrow is only a vision. But today, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.”
So let’s be free from worries and fear and full of faith. Today is a precious gift. It is the most priceless jewel in the world.
Therefore, let us live in the ‘now’ and make the most of ‘this day.’
You have too much going for you to spend this important time of your life worrying. The more you think about and discuss negative circumstances or continue to rehash past mistakes and regrets, the more you give life to that negativity.
There are some things in life we cannot change. So let’s do our part, and then turn those situations over to God. He will work it out according to His wisdom and purpose. Dismiss worry and replace it with faith. Recall what King David said, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in the Lord.” God knows that sometimes we are beset with doubts. That is why He says, “Fear not,” “Have no fear,” “Fear not, the Lord will go before thee.” God’s word is true, and that Heavenly Hand that holds our destiny is kind. God’s glorious assurance is upholding us and will give us victory.
I know a businessman who was a persistent worrier. His troubled mind could not think clearly or logically. But, finally, he said he had a secret that worked amazingly well to enable him to break his worry habit with great effectiveness. “What is the secret?” I questioned. The businessman uttered, “I have in my office a daily tear-off calendar. Before I leave to go home, I tear off the page for that particular day, drop it in the pail and say a short prayer.” Continuing, he said smiling, “I don’t bring my fears and worries home with me. I leave them in the Lord’s hands.”
This simple ritual has allowed this businessman to release the worries accumulated, to stop focusing on his problems, and look to God. He was able to relax and to keep the atmosphere peaceful in his home and get a good night’s sleep.
Fear and worry can be exaggerated and may appear in fearful vividness during the night. Before falling asleep, we should fill our mind with bright, encouraging thoughts. Thus, putting into action the forces which tend to harmonize, bring peace, and joy.
Send out kindly, loving, sympathetic thoughts to others and carry no bitterness in your heart. Next, think of one thing that you’re thankful for that you’ve never been thankful for before. When you have a grateful attitude, God can do new, exciting things in your future.
In the Bible, King David whose life was a continuous succession of tragedy and triumph, found strength and assurance expressed in Psalm 139, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me O God—when I awake, I am still with thee.”
So tonight, let us close our eyes and sleep as a contented child does, with joyful expectation and be confident of this promise: “When I awake, I am still with thee.”
Let us all put down the burdens we are carrying. As the sun rises with vibrant splendor and a glorious new day unfolds, we will awaken in healing brilliance and be overflowing with tranquility, joyfulness and God’s divine love.
Remember, God is faithful and has blessings in store for all the days of your life.