Scooping water out of the ocean=worry
I had a vision of an excavator, which is also known as a digger, impossibly floating on the ocean. It was absurd to think that such a heavy piece of equipment could float. Even more absurd was the task the excavator was doing.
The digger scooped up ocean water, swiveled 180 degrees, and then released its scoop on the other side of its hulk. The scoop then swiveled back and scooped again, and again at a sickening speed. What a waste of time and energy. What did it possibly believe that it was accomplishing?
“This is what you do when you worry and begin to gather up all the what ifs of tomorrow and try to pull them into today. You’re pouring out your energy from today and stealing it from tomorrow. When you worry, you try to hold on to so many “what ifs” and “then whats”, that the whole thing doesn’t make sense anymore — worry wastes all your emotional energy.”
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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)
I’ve read this scripture so many times but haven’t really heard it, and let it become a part of my mode of operation. It’s obvious if I look at my life, I need to guard my heart and mind because of their wandering tendencies. My heart is most fragile in the area of my children and my desire to keep them safe and if possible, happy and this; often overrides my peace. My mind gets bent out of shape creating horrible levels of strife in reaction to what I deem insurmountable problems. I then devise convoluted ways to save us from these insurmountable odds, my anxiety rises.
What I don’t do is what the scripture prescribes, which is to pray and with thanksgiving ask for what I need. I present the idea that the prayer is not just about asking Him to solve what you deem to be the problem; it’s about asking the Lord what the problem really is.
If we choose to let our minds wander and not allow Him to guard them, worries will hurt our hearts. It’s a natural consequence of worry. But we don’t have to live that way. We don’t have to scoop endless energy from one part of us and pour it out on the ground. We can choose peace when we choose to speak to the Prince of Peace.
Whenever I’m tempted to worry I’m going to try and remember not to start scooping water out of the ocean.
Prayer for you and me: Lord Jesus, we need you to keep our hearts and minds stayed on peace. We desire to lay down our worries and listen to Your solutions for our lives and the lives of our loved ones. Train our hearts for praise and peace. Let us lay down our own understanding to scoop up Yours. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
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