Widowhood Is Not Funny

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

What, Me Worry?

My mother used to call me a “worry wart.” I worried about everything. If worrying was ever made an Olympic sport, I was gold medal material. Worrying about things doesn’t change the outcome, but it can give you ulcers, if you don’t learn to curb the impulse. If you’re worried about relationships, it won’t help you get along with people. If you’re worried about money, it won’t bring in a single dollar.

According to Dallas businessman, Fred Smith, “the average worrier is 92% inefficient, since only 8% of what we worry about ever comes true. Many years ago, I began to worry about what would happen to me if I lost my husband. Of all the things that concerned me, that turned out to be the 8% I was right about. Go figure.

Mr. Smith also says, “we should wait to worry.” Since it won’t change things and can only make us sick, why worry until we absolutely have to? Worrying only builds things up in our minds, making them seem worse than they really are.

I won’t say I’ll ever be a champion non-worrier, but I’m getting better. Keep in mind what Charles Spurgeon said. “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength.”

Hang on to your strength and let the worry drift away.

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