No worries

I have looked through some of our old photo’s recently and with the memories came a lot of gratitude. We tend to take pictures only of the good things – the holidays, the fun moments, the good friends. So we try to forget the hard times and the struggles. I have to think a little harder to remember some of those difficulties and heart-breaks that we faced.

There were financial struggles and relationship struggles. There were failures and sicknesses. But somehow we came through all of them.

When we look back at those times we realize that our Friend has been faithful. He helped us through everything. There is also this knowing that he will also help us through everything that we may be facing now and everything that we will be facing in the future.

Why then do we still worry?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7, Holy Bible)

There can be freedom from worry and anxiety and fear now. Our Friend will be faithful and even if we should suffer terrible or even not survive then still He will be with us. Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live even though he dies.”

So I try to always get a bit of distance and try to see my situation objectively. In the light of His friendship, how serious is this situation? One can look at difficulties from the perspective of His presence, power and compassion. One can look at tragedy from the perspective of eternal life.

I must admit that this is not easy for me. It happens that I become negative. I focus on the things I can see or, even worse, on the stories I make up in my mind about what I see. I think we sometimes give people in our minds unfair motives when we do not really know what motivates them. Instead of thinking: “He forgot our appointment to discuss x,” we think “He does not care about x” or “He does not care about me.” Maybe we should make a conscious effort to rather believe the best possible scenario about others’ motives. Maybe that will help me to become more positive and worry less.

Looking back to old pictures all the negativity and worry seems so pointless. Let’s just get on with life and make more memories!

So run happily, enjoying the rice lands and the slightly cooler weather that monsoon brings.