“As we trade the 'many things' that make us anxious, he gives us the 'one thing' that calms our hearts. Himself.” [pg. 46] So here's my battle plan against worry: Living in the moment. And I do have to continually relearn that ability, but I do it. Perhaps living in the moment sounds frivolous, selfish, or maybe even indulgent? But it works for me, and it goes like this: Wherever or whenever you are ~ are you focused in that moment? Are you focused on that person? Are you focused on that event? Are you focused on that hobby? Are you focused on that joy? I know that was redundant, but you really want to think about that question. Because life is too stinkin' short to become just the bowl that holds all your worries. To be those days that exhaust you so desperately that you don't even remember that day's events (even the good ones) when your weary head hits that pillow. Our life is filled with challenges, we all get that, but it's also full of people we love, and places that shout out the glory of God, and events that leave us inspired and full of awe, and so much other great stuff. Here's an example of living in that moment: Recently, I spent time with our smallest grandchildren doing a birdhouse project. Our granddaughter was so full of joy as she painted her birdhouse that her swipes of paint, huge glops of vibrant sunset colors, nearly flew off her brush. Each daring stroke added another warm moment from her memory of beach sunsets. As the birdhouse became more and more sunset-ty her joy overtook her and she added a song to accompany each enthusiastic swipe. I asked her, "Did you learn that song school?" "No," she replied, smiling at me. "I'm just happy." She was swept away in her little birdhouse painting. She was remembering her time at the beach the summer before. She was thinking about how her sunset birdhouse would look when she hung it in a tree at mommy and daddy's house. She was happy. Truly happy and lost in that moment. This chapter is SO filled with wisdom about conquering worry. Maybe my solution won't work for you, but Joanna has many points that can help guide you into a place of victory over worry. God has designed us for joy. Live in the moment. Ask him for it. Allow it to happen. And smile. (: ~ Andi
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