Worry is distracting and consuming… if I think hard enough,
there is always something else to worry about, and sometimes I don’t need to
think at all! I could easily use up all of my energy thinking and worrying
about things that I have no control over and things that may or may not ever
happen. If I set up some boundaries about what I am going to allow my mind to spend
time on, I can focus on filling my mind with things that are worthwhile… things
that I can actually do something about.
As I watch a group of deer eating cottonwood leaves in our
front yard, they are alert and aware of their surroundings, but not consumed
with worry. We live near a rifle range. As the shots go off, they startle and
look around, but are not consumed with worry. They go about grazing and
fulfilling their life purpose rather than panic. They are focused on the task
at hand, rather than on what might be.
Whether I’m dreaming big or doing the everyday stuff; I can
easily get caught up in “what if?” and convince myself not to bother stepping
out of my comfort zone or pushing ahead.
When I slow down and clear my mind of worry by reading God’s word and filling
my mind with His perspective, I can actually speed up and accomplish so much
more.
I pray often for God to help me discern between the
distractions and worries of the world and opportunities to follow His
direction. I may not always choose correctly, but when I do, it becomes obvious
through the peace that I have as well as the success… keeping in mind that
success isn’t necessarily measured in terms of society; rather success in God’s
terms may actually look like failure in the world’s terms. Never the less, I
can feel at peace and be super charged to move forward in confidence.
If I set boundaries to say no or not go where God isn’t
directing me, I am freed from worrying about what the next step will be or what
is going on in the world around me because I have confidence that God is
leading and He won’t lead me astray.
Another part of setting boundaries is acknowledging that I
can’t please everyone all the time. Realizing this frees me to focus on
pleasing God and not getting wrapped up in the negativity of others or being
pulled into their speculation. I can focus on what I know to be true…” just the
facts ma’am”
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and
of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
