I wish I did not worry. As a child, I would pray aloud as we crossed a bridge, “Lord, protect us.” I once passed out praying on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. My momma used to call me a worry wart. It turns out Worry Wart was a comic strip character from the 1920s.
The Bible has plenty to say about worrying. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything.” 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For the Holy Spirit does not want you to be afraid.” So why is it so difficult not to worry? Maybe God knew just how hard it is to have faith. I like to think He understands our lack of trust, so He filled the Bible with many reminders.
Over the years, I have worried about my students’ welfare when they asked if they could go home with me. I worried about my family, young and old, knowing I could not solve all their problems. And I worried about my coworkers and the heavy load they carried. So, I gave snacks to the hungry students and hoodies to the cold ones. I called to check on the elderly and read to the little ones. I sent notes of encouragement to coworkers and shared lesson plans.
I once heard, “Work as if everything depended on you and pray as if everything depended on God.” That gave me something to do. I want to say I quit worrying, but I would be lying. We do the best we can. I thought if everyone knew I worried, they would question my faith in God. Now that I am older, I believe God gets me. He is still working on me.
In life, we can control some variables. We can set an alarm to wake us up. We can plan and save for a rainy day. But some things will come our way over which we have no control. For some, there will be no worry. For others, like me, there will be some wringing of the hands and restless nights. We press on.
Think about what worries you, then plan what you can do alone and what you must leave for God.
Theresa Parker Pierce lives in historic Salisbury, North Carolina, where she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has thirty-five years of experience in teaching reading and history. Theresa has a master’s degree in education and is National Board certified. As a two-time Rowan Salisbury Teacher of the Year, Theresa enjoys storytelling about her childhood in eastern North Carolina and giving tours in Rowan County. Her manuscript, Up Dunn's Mountain, won first place for Young Adult Literature at Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. She is a member of Word Weavers International. A historic docent, Theresa shares her volunteer time between the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer and the Rowan Museum in Salisbury. With a closet full of costumes, Theresa dresses in period attire and is a toastmaster who speaks to historic groups, senior citizens, and her favorite children.