AN OLD SWEDISH PROVERB says “Worry gives small things a big shadow.”
Paul writes; “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
Matthew quotes words of Jesus; ”Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? ” Matthew 6:27 NLT
When I read quotes by another the first thing I want to know, who said it? Why? And, what have they experienced to make me want to swim in their words? You see when I get in my worry boat building my shadows I don’t need a party downer I just need one to justify my worries.
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The photo and proverb above sure does a beautiful job of illustrating the blog for me. I had never thought about worry building a shadow. When I look at the photo and see the person’s shadow blocking and then dimming the light and God’s instructions on that bench, I see the contrast of Light vs darkness. That made me think about God having a shadow. I see that His shadow is the opposite of the worry shadow according to Psalm 91:1, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Sara, I am with you on wanting someone to “justify my worries” when I climb into that same “worry boat”. As I have read and pondered on this blog, I began to think on stories in God’s Word where there could have been some “worry”? Exodus 3 when God asked Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. And then over in Esther, chapter 5 where she goes before the king. How about Abraham with no sacrifice? I’m sure I could find more? And I found several scriptures in Luke, chapter 12 about worry; however, I haven’t been able to find ONE verse that would justify my “worry boat “. Has anyone else found a scripture that will justify worry?
Tammy, you sure understand how I feel and act at times! I was thinking maybe when we are in a place that worry starts to become an issue and rightly so, how does one safely anchor their boat? Having grown up around the outer banks and visiting light houses and hearing of stormy dangerous nights I am thoughtful of the value of light in dark and stormy nights.
If another would take their light from under a basket load of fear and give enlightment of truth to my worry instead of saying, ‘it’s going to be alright’ worry might decrease. Then I might let my light shine in story to another and together we conquer the storm and anchor in safety. I am seeing when we don’t use light we seem like cowards cowarding down under a basket.
In summary it’s seems to me as we use our God given gifts as a light house for others we then find a beacon light just around the bend. What do you think?
“I was thinking maybe when we are in a place that worry starts to become an issue and rightly so, how does one safely anchor their boat?” That is a great question Sara. I believe it takes action on our part, just as it would the captain of the boat. The captain can’t sit there and do nothing and “hope” the anchor will dangle from the boat and keep it anchored. No, he has to get up and throw that anchor in the water, so it can sink and anchor the boat. I can sit in my worry boat and hope “it will all be alright” or I can pray and trust the One who is the Anchor. I believe we call that FAITH, is this right?
Tammy, so refreshing to watch you do as King David of old thought wise to do, lay on your bed and meditate. I agree, ‘Captain get to it.’ The Captain might save himself and many others as well.
Tammy, I think I found 16 verses in the Bible on Captain following your lead.
Sara, were those 16 verses scattered throughout the Bible or all in one book?✝
Tammy, the ones I read were scattered. I read them sitting in Edenton soda shoppe waiting for you to return my text. 🕊
Tammy, what you wrote about the Captain and the anchor made me think of this scripture about Jesus our Captain,
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:19-20
And to add to your encouraging words, Debi….He is seated at the right hand of the Father and is our advocate!
Sara this makes me think that the very thing that exposes the darkness also casts a shadow. You don’t get a shadow without light. And again, l some people are afraid of the dark and even more scared of the light that exposes what’s in their darkness. An oxymoronor two here & there!
MG, I’ve heard there is light and then there is LIGHT!
“He is seated at the right hand of the Father and is our advocate!” Yes, Tammy, that is a comfort!
Thinking more on the ‘worry boat’ Sara wrote about, that account of Jesus in the boat with His disciples when that fierce storm filled the boat with water came to mind. Interesting that it became a ‘worry boat’ to the disciples while Jesus was there peacefully sleeping near them.