You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way. ~Walter Hagen
Have you ever worried about something until you were nearly sick? The Bible warns us that worrying is useless and shows lack of faith. As true as that is, I also know that most all of us do some worrying at times. Our teenage son is late getting home — we worry. Our daughter is having a baby — we worry. We get an unexpected bill we aren’t sure we’ll be able to pay — we worry.
We are supposed to turn our worries into prayers, and I try to do that. I’m sure you do too. But I have to admit sometimes I keep yanking those worries back, saying, “Wait a minute, Lord. I’m not quite through with that yet.” As if just sitting and stewing and worrying can change a thing. Now prayer, that can change things.
Some time ago, after I finished my novel, Angel Sister, I spent a couple of months doing some stewing and worrying. I sometimes say that book is the story of my heart since it has so many of my mother’s memories of growing up in the 1930’s threaded into the background and the setting.
Anyway, after I wrote those magical words “the end” and then did all that necessary editing, I sent it off to my editor at that time. Lonnie was the greatest, and I was so blessed to work with her on so many of my books. However, I did learn that sometimes, because she was so busy, she did take a while to get around to responding about a book. But at the time I wrote Angel Sister, I was still fairly new working with her. And you have to remember that I was really excited about sending her this particular book since I had such high hopes for my Rosey Corner people.
I waited and waited and waited for news. Good news, I desperately hoped, since I loved the story so much. But the weeks with no news dragged on. At that time, it had been my experience with previous editors that good news came relatively quickly and bad news dragged along slower. That was prior to everything being sent digitally. I actually mailed in a copy of the typewritten manuscript instead of hitting send on my computer. Lonnie actually liked reading a physical copy. Mailing it did add extra days to the process, but I figured that in before I began to worry.
But time passed. Plenty of time, I thought. I was positive I should have heard already. I began to worry that the editor didn’t like the book. I worried it wasn’t a good story. That I hadn’t done a good job. All that worrying messed up my head until I struggled to get going on my new idea. Then I finally talked on the phone to Lonnie, and she hadn’t even read the book!! She’d been extra busy and had sat on it. She was calling me for a totally unrelated matter. I’d been sick with worry for all the wrong reasons.
That’s not to say it was good that she hadn’t made time to read my book. It was good that she did read it soon after that call and loved the story. I was happy. She was happy. But the fact was that I spent time worrying about the wrong things. I was worrying that she’d read the story and hated it. I worried I was going to see a rejection for this book I loved. I worried I’d not be able to write another book that she or any editor would like. None of those worries came to pass.
That’s usually the way of it. We worry that this or that will happen. Then something altogether different happens. All our worrying has done is give us get gray hairs and frown wrinkles. Praying is much better. I’ve tried to remember that whenever I have to wait for writing news or when any worry comes poking at me. Pray. Pray. Pray. Not worry, worry, worry.
I believe in prayer. I truly do, but sometimes I don’t act very much as if I do. And then I have to pray for forgiveness and start over at square one. Aren’t you glad the Lord is so forgiving? That He gives us another chance and another chance and another chance if we ask for it.
Well, that’s my sermon of the week. Keep in mind what Erma Bombeck said about worrying. “Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.”
Are you good at turning your worries into prayers?
Hope you have a blessed week ahead. And no reason to worry.
Comments 14
Thanks for these words. Worry is a continual struggle for me. I try to turn the worry words into prayers, but I’m aware that it still started in my heart as a worry. I know that God knows my frame, and He is still working on me.
Author
You aren’t the only one who struggles with worry, Connie. Many of us do, especially when it’s something about our families or our health. The Lord is still working on all of us.
I love that quote.
Author
Erma had a way of saying things in the perfect way to get to the heart of the matter, Diana.
I’m forcing myself to be better!! Every time I start to worry, I pray. I tell God I know I gave it to Him, and I’m trusting Him, but I have to give it to Him again. And, the first time I pray about it, I tell Him I may have to keep giving it to Him multiple times a day!! I’m getting a bit better, though I still do it!
Author
Sounds as if you hard the perfect attitude, Trudy, and the realization that it isn’t always easy to turn worries into prayers. Good that you are getting it done though.
My Papaw said, “turn your worries into prayers and then let them go. If you keep worrying after praying, you’re telling God you don’t trust Him.” That’s hard to do sometimes, but Papaw’s teachings run deep with me. Some worries and concerns just seem to require more prayers than others.
I love your Erma Bombeck quote. She was a great lady.
Author
Your Papaw was pretty smart, Lavon. We do need to trust the Lord, but sometimes we seem to hesitate of the brink of true trust. Something I need to work on.
These words that you wrote say it all
” I believe in prayer. I truly do, but sometimes I don’t act very much as if I do. And then I have to pray for forgiveness and start over at square one.”
It’s like you know me. ❤️
I wish I did turn my worries into prayer more quickly.
Author
Hi, Lisa. Hope you had a great birthday this week. Things have been crazy here. My husband fell and broke his arm and elbow. So I’m spending a lot of time at the hospital. Hoping he’ll get to have surgery tomorrow and we can get to the next step of healing. Anyway, I did see you have a birthday and celebrated in thought with you.
And I know you’ve been covered with prayers many times in the past.
I really needed this reminder today. Thank you for sharing.
Author
So glad you liked the post, Shelia. You are such an encourager yourself. Thank you.
I have this sign, that my daughter and husband had put up on the wall right in-front of the throne (toilet) where many prayers went up to Jesus and His answers for some returned to answer. Don’t worry about anything. Instead pray about everything! I read that and being encouraged to love and leave it all in the Lord’s hands. That was quiteh
Author
That’s a great attitude for life, Shari, and it’s fun you have a reminder where you can see if often. 🙂