Between the Storms: Temporary Atheism

I was blessed by a new reader that came over from the Over 40 Bloggers. She shared that she was consumed with worry. Lots happened to her and her family to cause this worry, for sure. She decided she is a reformed worry wart, though. Not going to worry anymore because worry doesn't change a thing.

The most scholarly site, Wikipedia:) says this, "Worry is thoughts and images of a negative nature in which mental attempts are made to avoid anticipated potential threats."

One time, when my oldest was out and I had fallen asleep, I woke up suddenly and saw the time. My thoughts turned gruesome. It's crazy all the different kinds of accidents he had in my mind. Finally, I got up and looked outside only to find his car there. I just didn't hear him come in. All that worry for nothing. Silly, isn't it?

It's not like our worry helps anything, either, so I have to wonder, why do we worry? Sunday's sermon that my pastor, Greg Taylor preached, talked a little about worry.

He said:
Worry is unnecessary
Worry is useless
Worry is blind (don't see God working)
Worry is failure to trust the Lord, or, as he said, it is Temporary Atheism.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says this, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Trouble will come whether we thought about it in our minds or not. It does no good to set up different scenarios and then try to make them not come to pass. I do it, too. I have to say, I'm a pretty good worrier. I can get myself worked up with the best of them. Not proud to admit that, you understand, but honest.

We also try to worry our way out of our real-life troubles. We make them out to be worse than they are or we think about what more can go wrong. I had a friend today share this with me:

When I hear of someone (or am personally) going through heart-rending trials, I tend to think about Job... one of my favorite verses, [which doesn't actually apply to trials], that is a testament to Job's faith is ...

Job 19:25, "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth."

As I understand it, Job was a contemporary of Abraham. How he knew that "my Redeemer" LIVES ....and "that in the end he WILL STAND upon the earth." That amazes me. ... it gives me a little "perspective" in the midst of trials..."

Wow! Great stuff that Beth shared. We KNOW our Redeemer lives. That should put much of our worry to rest. My Redeemer lives! Your Redeemer lives! Not only does He live - but He cares for us so very much. He watches over us. He even knows how many hairs are on our head. Amazing love He has for us.

I want to quit with my temporary atheistic thinking. The only thing is, that's easier said than done. But when I am tempted to worry - the best thing I can do is pray. Pray. What a concept. We can pray away those awful scenarios in our brain.