Anyone out there feeling overwhelmed recently?
If my Facebook newsfeed, tweets, blog reader and emails tell me anything it is that a lot of folks have started out 2014 with a bang and not necessarily in a good way. I don’t have to put on my Nancy Drew detective hat to make that conclusion.
Are we all on overload? Is it just the world that we live in today that helps promote the frenzy?
And then the worry takes over.
Oh yes. That worry that wakes you up in the middle of the night and replays scenes in your head. The tape that rewinds automatically with images of “what if this happens” and “how can I change the outcome”.
I doubt that there are very many readers who have not at one time or another had that sinking sensation in the pit of the stomach that gnaws and eats away —placing fear and worry in place instead.
I am the first one to raise my hand high to say “I don’t have it all figured out”. I certainly don’t. I have had my share of those moments and hate to admit at times have succumbed to the despair that accompanies those feelings of helplessness in situations that appear to be just too much to handle.
That is the human side of me. The part that feels deeply and wants to fix things. The part that wants to control the outcome of situations that are on the seemingly wrong track. Take away the pain that a friend is enduring and replace it with comfort and peace. To be human is, hopefully, to care enough to help change difficult situations.
I think one of the reasons that I am drawn to the beach so much is because to me it offers a feeling of calm. The waves, lapping on the sand, bring change to the landscape with each gentle swoosh of motion and remind me of serenity and peace. Each motion of the water brings change. Somehow the change is good. New shells appear for me to inspect. New ripples in the sand create interesting patterns to photograph and muse over.
Low tide is my favorite as there is so much more to explore. One of my favorite memories of living on the beach in Australia was the time Chris and I ventured out at a time of extremely low tide. We saw creatures we had not seen before. We were amazed at the beauty of the things that we were able to observe in their own environment.
The beach reminds me that the worries of today are like the sand on the beach. They, too, will be washed away and removed with time and the next wave. They will become a distant memory. There may be reminders of those worries along the way—like the shell I have saved because it was so perfectly beautiful or because of its character —but they can be put into perspective over time. I take comfort in that. I hope you do, too.
A few Bible verses that help me in times of worry and concern are the following ones. Please share if you like. You never know who may need to read this today.
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Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 NIV
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He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge: his faithfulness with be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4 NIV
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When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 NIV
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We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19 NIV
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Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
