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Angie Mc
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Let nothing upset you,
let nothing make you fearful.
All things will pass;
God never changes.
Patience wins
all it seeks.
Whoever has God
lacks nothing:
God alone is enough.
St. Teresa of Avila
Be not afraid...
What does this look like...not being afraid...not being upset...not worrying. How does one develop the habit of not worrying? If we worry and admit our fears, how do we transform them into radical faith and trust? How does honest emotion fit into this picture? When does worry/fear/upset become sin? Do we smile when we are afraid...do we wrestle with the fear and then smile? Are we failing in faith if we fear? Or is it about identifying the fear and moving as quickly as possible to peace? What are your favorite ways of wrestling with worry? What are your favorite prayers, books, songs, etc. that bring peace to a troubled heart? How do we help others with a troubled heart?
Interestingly, I don't ask this at a time of worry. I'm feeling quite peaceful...almost in a surreal way...a way that is beyond my human efforts. These questions have been in my heart for several weeks, connected with the notion of "giving up worry" during Lent. Now that I'm pregnant, the temptation to worry will be great. I want to give these questions attention now...almost to attempt to prevent the seeds of worry from taking root in the first place.
Thanks for your consideration...and Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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helene
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Those are great questions. I wonder about them, too. All I know is it helps me to remember that worrying is painful and a colossal waste of time. Most times the things I worry about the most never come to pass. At other times things happen and I deal with it knowing I would have spent lots of time awake at night over it if I knew about it ahead of time. It doesn't help anything to be upset about it. Living in the present moment to the best of my ability helps to focus my attention on "the here and now" where it belongs. I will be watching these replies.
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Helen
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Angie Mc wrote:
Let nothing upset you,
let nothing make you fearful.
All things will pass;
God never changes.
Patience wins
all it seeks.
Whoever has God
lacks nothing:
God alone is enough.
St. Teresa of Avila
Be not afraid...
What does this look like...not being afraid...not being upset...not worrying. |
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To answer this good question in one word:
detachment
in one phrase:
the willingness to suffer
If I'm making any sense, an abandonment to the Will of God in which whatever happens (perceived good or evil) is accepted readily as coming directly from the hand of God.
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Ave Maria!
Mom to 5 girls and 3 boys
Mary Vitamin & Castle of the Immaculate
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chicken lady
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I worry Angie, I have a hard time believing in the law of averages any more. I use to say, "Oh don't worry, things like that don't happen" So what do I do? Well I train my mind to adopt the mantra Jesus I trust in you. This helps me alot. Because ultimatly, I have to surrender to God's will, when he allows bad things to happen to us, it is because He knows how he will use the suffering. I also tell myself that my worrying is a suffering and I don't want to waste any suffering. For some people worry is a suffering, for some a habit that needs to be surrendered, only the Lord knows which one we all fall into.
Great thread, I hope to hear others posts!
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chicken lady
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| Posted: April 29 2007 at 8:28pm | IP Logged
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Helen we were posting at the same time, you said it much beter than I 
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Helen
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chicken lady wrote:
| Helen we were posting at the same time, you said it much beter than I |
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That's funny - when I read your post I thought you had said it so much better than I!
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Ave Maria!
Mom to 5 girls and 3 boys
Mary Vitamin & Castle of the Immaculate
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isjalu0826
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I have to say that two things from Scripture have hit me on this topic (and I am a die-hard worrier, so I need lots of reminders).
The first is a line from Isaiah that I 'heard' deeply this past Advent and then when it was read during morning Mass this Lent, I smiled to myself remembering. The passage is Isaiah 43:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you shall not drown.... Because you are precious in my eyes and glorious, and because I love you..." (1-4)
...and...
"Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not; See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" (18-19)
I love that line!!!
And then just this past week, PSALM 16! OH! Read Psalm 16...
"...The lot marked out for me is my delight..."
"I keep the Lord ever in my sight: since he is at my right hand, I SHALL STAND FIRM. And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad, even my body shall rest in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay..."
I read this psalm (not the first time of course..) Thursday night and I felt like I needed to, I don't know, print it out on a wall or something, like a manifesto, it felt like everything that I wanted to say, that I felt, that I need to feel...
I hope these two passages are inspirational to you. And that I haven't babbled on too long! 
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aussieannie
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My father always use to remind me of Padre Pio's famous quote, "Pray, hope and don't worry!"...he would get very dry about it, "If you going to pray, pray! or if you going to worry, worry! You can't do both!"
I personally find, that if I 'throw' myself at Our Lady's feet that this comforts me greatly and lifts me out of my worry and concern - I have such faith in her motherly love and intercession.
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chicken lady
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aussieannie wrote:
| I personally find, that if I 'throw' myself at Our Lady's feet that this comforts me greatly and lifts me out of my worry and concern - I have such faith in her motherly love and intercession. |
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This is really the answer...thanks Anne!
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teachingmom
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When I was pregnant with my 8yo dd, I was very anxious because I had miscarried prior to that pregnancy. I remember going to confession to a priest friend and admitting my worries. He told me to think of Sister Faustina (now St. Faustina) and the Divine Mercy and say, "Jesus, I trust in you!" when I begin to feel anxious. I try to do that to this day when anxieties hit. I say it even if I don't feel it, making it almost more of a request -- Jesus, I am trying to trust in you, please help me!
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stefoodie
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Thanks for this thread, Angie! I had PMed Helen and was asking her a related question:
Quote:
| How does being consecrated to Mary look like IRL? <snip> Am I understanding correctly that consecrating myself means I totally put this in Mary's hands? e.g., how does being consecrated affect one's concerns, in terms of researching things, being worried, thinking of solutions, trying to find help, etc. |
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Helen has provided me with some answers and suggested I ask at the Hidden Treasure thread as well. You gals just answered! Thank you!
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stef
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Lorri
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It isn't easy. But remember where worry comes from - Satan! God is a loving Father who does not want us to worry. Does that mean nothing bad will happen to us? Of course not. But there are many things that we can't control and we should not let Satan get in there and cause us to worry. Instead we should pray to God, tell Him that we are scared and ask Him to ease our minds. Take comfort that even if our worst fears come true (and mine have), that God will get us through it. I think that fear comes from being too concerned with our lives on earth rather than our eternal life. We have to surrender ourselves to the Lord.
My dh flew to Chicago yesterday afternoon. I was worried from the time he left the house until he called from his hotel. It's hard not to worry and wonder and speculate. But I can't control his fate. God has already numbered dh's (and my) days. I did manage to pray and found comfort in knowing that no matter what happened, God would not abandon me.
God does not promise us an easy road, with long, healthy lives, side by side to the very end with those we love. He does promise us eternal life.
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Lorri
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asplendidtime
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I try to change worry into thankfulness. I try. My mom told me some time ago that you can't be grateful and worry at the same time. So if I start to worry about dh, I thank God for dh, I remember wonderful times we've had, I thank God for the gift of him. Then I consider that what I have had with him already is such a priviledge... I see that God has blessed me, and I see that as evidence of His loving care.
When I worry about a new pregnancy, I first focus on the priviledge that I was gifted with a new life, even if it turns out to be a short one. I try to see the blessing in the baby, and thank God from there.... That is the only way I seem to feel peace.
Being given the priviledge to love someone seems to me like one of the very highest gifts God can give. I'm sorry, I know that seems rather simplistic. But so far it is the only thing that has yielded progress in fear/worry for me. I really like what the others wrote.
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mary theresa
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Thank you for this thread. It is a blessing for me and I will keep coming back to it.
Isjalu, the scripture verses were beautiful and really resonated with me -- thank you!
I don't have words of wisdom like the others, but I have a quote from St. Therese of Lisieux posted on my fridge that I try to read when I am worried or stressed.
Here it is. I hope it blesses someone.
"If I did not suffer minute by minute, it would be impossible for me to be patient, but I see only the present moment, I forget the past and take good care not to anticipate the future.
If we grow disheartened, if we sometimes despair, it is because we have been dwelling on the past or the future."
The line that plays in my head at times of worry is "take good care not to anticipate the future"
It reminds me of something in C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, (and I don't have the book so I can't quote it exactly), but he writes that all grace and all merit lie in the present moment. When the devil tempts us to worry and distrust, we miss the gift of the grace in that moment, and the opportunity for merit in that moment. The grace we need does not lie in the future. The future, not having happened yet, holds nothing for us, only the present.
Does that make sense?
Thank you Angie for starting this thread and getting me to think about these things.
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Mary Theresa
mother to 3 little girls --March '06, Dec '07 and Jan '10
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ladybugs
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This is a great thread!
What wonderful advice you women have offered!
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Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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JodieLyn
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OH yes Mary Theresa.. that's it.. that's exactly how I "not worry". I allow worry to be a spur to getting things done or preparing to whatever point "makes sense".. for instance, my older kids are playing lacrosse.. I have put together and carry a first aid kit.. because I am concerned they could be injured (or someone else) but then once I've done what is possible for me to do.. I have to let it go. It isn't happening right now and may never happen, so why should I spend my time fretting over something that may never happen.
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Angie Mc
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Shortly after I wrote this topic starter, when I wasn't at a time of worry, I had something happen that was, well, worrisome. I can't thank you enough for your sharings here. They helped me then, and I'm sure they will help me in the future.
During my time of worry, I felt like I went through stages. The first was, "It's nothing to worry about." I found great comfort in knowing that many of you are holding me in prayer. Then I moved into, information gathering mode (ugh.) Then I called someone I trust for help to discern which information was actually helpful. Once I had a clear idea of what to actually worry about, I felt that I had a plan...what relief...I love plans. Well...it wasn't enough this time. Several days into this I finally got time alone one night after all were asleep. I prayed...but differently. It wasn't my usual "proper praying." It was ridiculous and heart-wrenching. It was full of "clarifying" to the Lord about what I wanted (as if He didn't know!) It was so child-like, so immature, so...what I needed. I cried myself to sleep, knowing that God could handle what I just dished out. The next morning...I was at peace. Finally. Not happy, not confident, not back to myself, but at peace. I tried so hard to "not worry" that I think it back-fired...got all knotted up inside...then needed out. I really didn't want to "not trust" and not feel like I was letting myself and my God down...yet maybe this was just my pride. When I finally just became like a child, God was able to comfort me...like a child...which is just what I needed. Maybe each stage brought something right to God and to me...I'll have to think and pray on that!
To end the story, all wrapped up in a positive way for the time being. Now, do I look back on it and say, "Sheesh, Angie, you shouldn't have worried! See how silly and weak you were?" I don't think so. It was an authentic me bringing that moment's pain that had built up over time to my Father and Mother. And I was comforted so gently. It reminded me of the times when my children have been ill or injured and I have loved them back to health...those tender times when they were extra vulnerable and trusted me to care and do right by them. Nothing weak on their part...nothing manufactured. I wouldn't choose the suffering that brings us to those times, but I wouldn't miss those times for the bittersweet closeness to my little one, and to God.
Well, that sure was a long-winded way of saying, "Thank you, friends"...for your feedback then and for reading now  .
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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alicegunther
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Angie, this is one of the clearest, most beautifully written paragraphs I have ever read on suffering and worry and trust and peace. Many thanks for this wisdom and truth. I will refer back to it often.
Still praying for you.
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Love, Alice
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chicken lady
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Thank you Angie for sharing this, I was talking to a friend last night about the very topic, and you hit it dead on!
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Angie Mc
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Thanks so much, Alice and CL . This article, Experiencing God's Peace fits here, too.
Love,
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Angie Mc
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Let nothing upset you.
