I need to be arrested. I have been stealing. Not only have I been stealing, but I have been letting others steal my joy. It’s no ones fault but my own. I can identify it, I just don’t seem to be able to do anything about it. So much of it is just the way I am wired.
For as long as I can remember I have approached everything in life “beginning with the end in mind”. Not only do I go directly to the end, I usually ask “what is the worst thing that can happen”? I am a certified, card carrying member and president of the “worst case scenario” club. I like to know what the worst is so I can anticipate and plan for it. I don’t think that is the problem. The real issue is when you stay there. You live in that. It consumes you and becomes the focus of your attention and thoughts.
In the meantime your joy, your moment, your life goes on right in front of you.
I am learning to live in the moment. I know my life would be so much more enjoyable if I would. The reality is that even if I know the worst case scenario, often there is not a darn thing I can do about it. I can only control here and now. What I do in this moment might even effect my “worst case”.
Lord grant me your patience and wisdom. There is a reason why you don’t give us the entire story and why the outcome is often never what we predicted. Your story is better anyway.
“Miracle of the Moment” by Steven Curtis Chapman
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” – Jesus, Mt 6:25-27
Living in worst case scenario equals worrying about the future, IMO.
Planning to be successful and taking into account potential pitfalls comes under “counting the cost”.
If I correctly understand what you’re saying, Aaron, your answer lies in not living in the pitfall identification zone.
“It is your joy that the Lord gives you. Let no one or nothing take it from you. It is a gift from him. Take care of it.”
Aaron, I know you remember my “dark” days. These words were spoken to me from someone I greatly respect, my dear husband. One day during the “dark” time Eric and I had a discussion (no it was an intense conversation). Everywhere I looked I found the “worst case”. Eric had enough. He told me those words and it stuck with me. Sometimes when we are searching for those “worst cases” we are silently stealing the joy of those we love so much. I was not living with the “joy of the Lord”. I started learning to live in the moment. I remember being thankful for soap and hot water, because somebody’s worst case was they didn’t have those things. Now I laugh when I should probably cry. I know that the worst case will be okay because I have the best final result…
This is hitting a nerve… lots to keep lifting up… and stop taking back for cryin’ out loud. I’m with ya.
I don’t mean to make light of a serious topic here….. My joy was stolen this week when I heard none of the UNC boys were good enough for the NBA!!!
Mike, Mary and Amanda –
Thank you for the comments and encouragement. I appreciate the wisdom and scriptures as well. The post was driven from a conversation I had with someone else that does the exact same thing. Here’s hoping the “worst case scenario” club has a few less members 🙂
JK –
I hate to break it to you, but you might want to prepare your joy for many more thefts. Particularly twice during the regular season and in the ACC tournament. The boys from Chapel Hill are going to go undefeated next year. Book it!