Don't Worry, Be Happy

Besides that, being one of the absolute worst songs to come out of the late 80s because of its infectious nature and bubble gum feelings, it's just a message that sets my teeth on edge. The song makes me think of all the times people have approached me when something was going on and told me, simply, "don't worry about it."

I mean seriously, because if it were that easy to shrug away all my worry and fear, why in the world wouldn't I just "forget about it". It's not like I revel in the idea of being trapped by fear and worry. Or I derive some sick pleasure from that dying feeling in the pit of my stomach...when all I needed to do was "stop worrying".

We all struggle with different things: self-image, a covetous nature, addictions, worry, the list goes on and on. Each person fights their own demons and works to overcome their own sin nature. And yes, in case you're wondering, worry is a sin. If you're someone who has experienced worry in all of its glory, that's easy to understand, because although we tell ourselves worry is natural and okay, it's always consuming as it becomes our sole focus.

So one thing that must be noted is how frequently people interchange the words worry and concern. Yes, they do have some similarities, but they have profoundly different meanings. A certain level of fear and concern is appropriate, while worry deviates into a very unhealthy place where it usually transforms into a sort of idol. Concern and fear often prevent us from doing something stupid or protecting ourselves and others. Worry, on the other hand, is just an unproductive waste of time, energy, and emotions.

Satan uses worry to cripple us completely. It is my daily dose of inception. The tiniest glimpse of an idea catapulted me into panic in mere seconds, bringing me to my knees...which, ironically enough, is right where I need to be.

Defending your mind and heart from worry is an uphill battle when worry is your thorn. When it's the thing that Satan knows is your weak spot, he pushes and twists it in an effort to push God out of the #1 place of your focus.

The worst part about worry, for me, though, isn't the personal pain and heartache it causes, but the reflection of that worry in my daughter. At just 4 years old, I've already seen the seeds of worry take root in her precious little heart and cause her pain. She's such a happy child, but in moments where she's unsure about what is going to happen or how things will work, she breaks down.

So, we start working on it now. Start engraving God's Word on her heart so she has the tools necessary to defeat Satan at his own game and continue to pray each day, that worry is something that she is able to defeat, in Christ's name. Because it is my hope and prayer that one day, very soon, that thorn that is deeply embedded in my side will not be passed down to her as she gets older, but fall by the wayside and wither.

I don't have all the answers, and this side of heaven, I never will, but I have learned, with God's help, how to identify those moments when my mind travels to bizarre places in milliseconds. How to step back from those moments when a passing thought turns into devastation within my mind, and just breathe. Breathe, calm myself, and pray that God would take the place of the debilitating worry that is trying to take control of my thoughts. And though it will probably always be a battle, I have found that I can have small triumphs over worry by recognizing it for what it is and then relying on God's grace to see me through.