“With all your heart…”

I won’t make this too long—mainly because I couldn’t think what to write—but I thought I’d do something anyway. I don’t think I’ll be able to tomorrow since I will be away from home.

Anyway, I thought I’d say something about a big problem that I had, and have, and probably will always have. I like to worry. Actually, “like” sounds like the wrong word, but it isn’t. I’m addicted. I love to worry. I guess it gives me the false idea that I’m in control of my situation.

I was talking over something with my mum, and then a past remembrance came up, and it was a past worry (as most of them seem to be!). I started to explain to her, but I just couldn’t keep out the fact that I was in the wrong in the situation. I felt that what she did then had made this situation horrible and embarrassing, but the truth is, I was only embarrassed because I wanted to be embarrassed. And that happens so much with me! I see a situation that is already a little awkward, and then I feel that everything is horrible and I make it worse. Have you ever noticed that when everything is going wrong, you tend to loose your temper, or get grumpy, or make things even more awkward? It’s horrible feeling, and the memory of the occasion it ten times worse because of one’s bad attitude. I hate doing that, but I always do it anyway!

But I’ve found that if I just realize that it doesn’t really matter in the end, everything seems to become lighter and less horrible. And although you’re the only one finding it not a stupid, embarrassing or awkward event, it doesn’t much matter… and often, people follow your example. I mean, just look at the time when Paul and Silas were freed from jail. I mean, they were actually singing in there! But they were the only ones who were cheerful there. But afterwards, through sharing the joy by their behavior, everyone was having a blast by the end of the day!

And the situations that I live in—that I think are hard and embarrassing—are hardly as horrible as being put in jail. But even when the worst it happening in our lives, God tells us to do our job with all our hearts, and with a joyful attitude. “Since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:24

 

Shalom