“Worry is a self-deception. Worry is often born from our unwillingness to admit that we are powerless over a certain situation or circumstance.” Matthew Kelly – Perfectly Yourself
“Fear not little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you a Kingdom …” Lk. 12:32
“I tell you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have distress but have confidence in Me (be at peace), for I have overcome the world.” Jn 16:33
For all of you knuckleheads and stubborn mules reading this, I’ve placed these three quotes at the beginning of this reflection to drive home a point. You … are … not … God! My wife Barb and I have been using Perfectly Yourself by renowned author Matthew Kelly for our morning prayer reflection. The topic we are covering is “Don’t worry!” which just happened to fall to us during Holy Week.
Kelly’s quote really got me thinking. Why are so much immeasurable time and energy wasted on things that we have no control over? There are those around us, and maybe you are one of them, who feel they carry the weight of the universe on their shoulders. Yet not one single human being has ever been assigned that task in the history of the world, other than One only. That horrific, unfathomable responsibility has fallen to our Blessed Lord, Jesus the Christ, God the Son. And carry it He has, to the sacred Cross and beyond to our Redemption!
So yes, worry is going to come. It seems an inseparable part of our human condition. It comes from the devil’s perturbations in our oft’ times weary soul, from happenings in the world around us, and from our own inner circus going on within us. You … are NOT … the Ringleader!!! It’s time to put the animals back in their cages, get down off that tightrope, stop obsessing over the jugglers and plate spinners, turn the lights way down low and send all the spectators home. Then, in the silence of your soul you can listen to the gentle voice of the Master Ringleader and hear His reassuring and calming words: Be still and know that I am God, for I will be exalted over all the earth! (Psalm 46:10) Over all of Creation! So, while your worry may seem unavoidable, down in the depths of your soul you will know that your Heavenly Father carries you in the palm of His hand. It is in this realization that we may diminish our worries, if not totally remove them, and be truly and profoundly happy!