Rehearsing Troubles

Each morning I read Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. On January 16 it says, "Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. "

That seems to be the problem with worry. It multiplies our suffering because we rehearse the problem over and over again, long before we ever deal with it. God does not give us grace ahead of our trials. God gives grace in the actual moment of our trial. Worry, however, causes us to experience the trial over and over again long before it happens and without the grace that God will give when the trial actually occurs! Worry causes us to step outside the presence of God which is our protection from fear.

So, how do we stay in the presence of God when I have work and responsibilities that require focus? We stay in the presence by disciplining our minds. Work when the Spirit says, "Work". Yet, when we have a free moment, rest in the presence instead of running back to worry. Giving thanks for five things that are going right or for five loved ones who bring us joy or for five friends who delight us can quickly bring us back into the presence. Gratitude rapidly ushers us into the presence of the generous and living God.

What is the alternative? We can worry about five things that are going wrong or we can we can worry about five loved ones who are in trouble or we can be angry at five people that have wronged us. Worry tortures the moment because there is no grace present. Patience and rest in Jesus Christ are meant to bring solace to the moment. That is where grace abounds. It is our choice.

"Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. "

Blessings, Father Scott