texture by Kim Klassen: 0605 soft light
Black and white photo with masking on faces
Worrying doesn’t take away tomorrow’s trouble, it takes away today’s peace.
I’m a worrier. One of my biggest character flaws. You can assure me every which way from Sunday that everything will turn out okay, but I’ll still manufacture scenarios in my head of the worst possible future outcome of any circumstance or situation.
Like I’m doing with Peanut and Twix. Their future is a total open book but circumstances are such that I think I have a crystal ball and can see their future. And I don’t really like some of the things I see. I’ve made myself physically sick fabricating what I think may happen in their lives.
Do you ever do that? Get so caught up in worrying about the future that you’re completely blind to the wonderful things happening right in front of you in the present? Obsessing about what we think is going to happen in the future can mess with our minds to the point where we live in a hopeless mental state….making decisions based on a pessimistic viewpoint instead of living optimistically.
Worrying is like praying for what you don’t want.
I saw this quote and it really made me stop and realize just how true that is. It’s similar to a self-fulfilling prophesy. Worry about what might happen in the future can subconsciously lead us to make decisions in the present that may make it easier for what we’re worrying about come true. When we spend our time worrying about what might happen, we crowd out our brains of the good memories of the past and don’t leave any room for positive possibilities in the future.
Worrying is using your imagination to create things you don’t want.
And we all know how powerful an imagination is! Strangely, we have the capability to direct our future simply by the thoughts we choose to dwell on in our heads. Decisions based on what we’re worried and anxious about are never good ones.
There isn’t enough room in your mind for both worry and faith.
You must decide which will live there.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:6-8
Which will you choose today?
Linking up with Texture Tuesday, Texture Twist and Life Through the Lens.
Peripheral Perceptions 
I used to be like that. I’ve learned worrying doesn’t change anything. It wastes time and hinders the mood and moment. I still catch myself with negative thoughts/worries and remind myself to refocus before I become obsessed. Perhaps if you focus on all of the wonderful opportunities that will be available in life and how much the girls are loved you can steer away from worrying about their futures.
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“Do you ever do that? Get so caught up in worrying about the future that you’re completely blind to the wonderful things happening right in front of you in the present?”
Yes, Lisa, I have. However, I’ve had many things happen in my life that were so uncertain (such as my job security, my mother’s illness two years ago, and making the move back to the east coast 10 years ago) that made me stop worrying and just focus on now. Also, for me, whenever I feel this way I constantly remind myself of all the things in my life that I have to be grateful for and it seems to give me tremendous peace that everything is going as it should and I will be provided for.
“Worrying is like praying for what you don’t want.”
You’re right, how true that is.
Love the photo of Peanut and Twix!
Have a super week, my friend!
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I’ve pretty much given up on worrying because it’s an energy-sucker, just like anger. Unless I expect you at a certain time and you’re late and don’t call, then I’ll have you in a serious accident.
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I’ve always been a worrier, but as I’ve aged I am trying to do better. But, I have to admit, my daughter and hubby were staying with us when the grandson was born. I so got on her nerves with my worrying about him; especially when he started to walk. She’s since moved, he’s in school, and I still worry about him. Will the kids bully him, will she keep a good eye on him so no one takes him, yada yada yada. Maybe it’s a grandmom thing…or I was too busy to worry that much about my own. I think the scary things in our society today that we hear about doesn’t help. You’re not alone… 🙂
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I am trying to get better at not doing this, and yoga and deep breathing helps.
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I used to be like you… but I’ve learned to breath, let go and just be in the moment. Worries ruined my happiness and made me blind to all the wonderful things happening in the here and now.
I had a reminder hanging on my moodboard, a quote from Carol Shields…
“Go for long walks, induldge in hot baths, question your assumptions, be kind to yourself, live for gthe moment, loosen up, scream, curse the world, count your blessings, just let go, just be.”
Lovely how you’ve put some color back into the B&W!
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So adorable! I like that little bit of color with the b&w.
Yep, i’m a worrier too – I try to stop that waste of time and find joy in the now (sometimes that can be hard!).
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First of all … I love the photo! The mask on their faces is perfect. They’re both so beautiful … and growing too quickly! I don’t worry as much as I used to but I find that when I’m tired, that’s when the ugly worry wart rears her head. Great thoughts.
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I have to agree, to much focus on things we don’t want doesn’t bring about the things we do. Often we can overlook some many things to be grateful for it we worry all the time.
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I can relate Lisa–worrier here as well. I have gotten much better at focusing on things that I can control. With those out of my control, I try not to spend too much time on them.
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Beautiful picture and I have to agree-when I look at the future I get very troubled for my Blessing.
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Oh yes I can so relate. I’ve long been a “worrier” about things. I’ve never thought about it though in these terms. I’m printing this out (hope you don’t mind) to read back over and over so that perhaps I’ll let go of the worrying and start trusting more.
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