To Worry or Not To Worry

Yesterday I received an email from a dear friend with the following questions:

"I would like to know your opinion , what is your feeling when something really worries you?

How do you let go? What do people do, to leave the baggage at the feet of Jesus or in the hands of God? I hear friends say "Let go and let God." How do I let go of the worry and not take it back?"

These are questions that deal with two different issues with which we all struggle from time to time. The most basic of issues involved are: Trust, and Control. Can I REALLY trust that God is in charge of my life? Can I REALLY trust that God has my best interest at heart? Can I truly believe that, as St Paul says: "Everything works together for good for those who love God, those whom God has chosen according to His own purposes" (Romans 8:28)? Or do I need to keep one hand on the steering wheel just in case God doesn't go in the right direction? It is one thing to SAY that I believe that God wants only good for me, and quite another to let the reality settle from my head down into my heart, my stomach, my gut where the worrying takes place.

The second issue of Control touches on something so deep within us that many times we are not even aware of it. Who/what is in control of my life? Who/what do I allow to "call the shots" for me? Do I say that I have surrendered my life to God, to Jesus? Do I allow God's plan to unfold even when I don't like it? Or do I feel that I must control my own destiny? It is relatively easy to "Let go and Let God" when things are going the way that I want them to go. But when others do not act according MY plan, and things in my life are messed up, then I have more difficulty in letting go.

Someone once told me that "Worry is a down payment on a future event that probably won't happen." It set me to thinking about how much energy I waste when I worry, energy that could be more constructively used in living in the present, dealing with current issues, enjoying present pleasures, instead of focusing on tomorrow.

So, how do I "Let go and let God"? I do it moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day. It is never done once and for all. I let go of something with one hand, only to take it back with the other, only to let go of it once again. It seems that the more quickly I let go of something, the more readily I'm able to let go of it the next time I find that I have taken it back. Important for me is not to hang on to anything too long. As soon as I realize that I have taken it back, I need to turn right around and place it into the loving hands of God once again. This pattern repeats itself over and over. Is it easy? No! But it does seem to become easier the more often I do it.

As a side note, I find that the support of a loving faith community provides a huge assist in letting go. The sooner that I share my worry/concern with another in faith, the quicker and easier it becomes to release it into God's hands. By opening my worried heart to another, I let in the healing Spirit of God that deepens my Trust and helps me to surrender my Control to God who wants to make "everything work together for good". This is truly a case of "practice makes perfect", but with the realization that it will never be finished until I leave this life.

For a beautiful reflection on this issue of worry, go to the blog of my niece, Gitzen Girl. Just click on that link to be blessed by her experience and the experience of many of her followers. We all struggle with the same questions in different circumstances, and different ways.