Are You a Wigwam, a Teepee, or Two Tents?

One guy says to the other guy: “I’m a wigwam! I’m a teepee! I’m a wigwam! I’m a teepee! I’m a wigwam! I’m a teepee!”

The other guys says: “SHUT UP, YOU’RE TWO TENTS!”

Get it? You're too tense!!

My husband's navy buddy, Pete, used to say that. It makes me laugh and I think of it often. Who isn’t a little too tense these days? Am I the only one who has to remember to breathe sometimes?

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27)

He also said, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:24)

If he has told us to do something, he will give us the power to do it. Not as easy as it seems, though, is it?

I can almost hear you asking, “but isn’t worrying normal? What if we are concerned…is there a difference?” I recently found a great answer to that.

Dr. Chris Thurman, in his book, If Christ Were Your Counselor, says this about the difference between worry and concern:

“If you are relying on personal power in your life, you…will chronically worry because you are overmatched, and you are going to fail. If you are relying on God’s power to help you with things, you will be appropriately concerned but you will be able to focus on facing your problems knowing that they can be successfully handled because God is up to the task. Worry means you are tapping into yourself for the power to handle your life. Concern means you are tapping into the ultimate power source--God. Worry means you care more about yourself than the issue you are facing. Concern means you genuinely care about the issue and the people involved in it more than yourself. Worry means your pride won’t let you let go of the reins. Concern means you have to let go of the reins, but you are doing all you can to help.” (p. 71, emphasis mine.)

Do you see yourself in that like I do? The only thing that helps me move from worry to concern is to focus on God and his power. I love Isaiah 26:3: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

What strategies help you keep your mind “stayed” on God? How have you found to take your eyes off your problems and magnify God instead? Uplifting worship music or hymns? Listening to or reading scripture? Journaling your requests and what you are thankful for? Meditating on God’s promises? Enjoying his presence in your own quiet way? Posting scripture in places to remind you God is good and can be trusted?

Find and practice whatever it is that works for you to shift your mindset away from worry and onto God and his power and goodness.

There is an old saying attributed to Ralph Abernathy: “I don’t know what the future may hold, but I know who holds the future.”

Staying my mind on him,

Ellen