You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. If you cannot do even the little things, then why worry about the big things? (Luke 12:25-26, NCV)
Simplifying one’s life seems to be a concept that’s here to stay, and that’s a good thing. For those with loved ones in the military, traveling light is a requirement, not an option. Frequent moves mean that we have to stay organized and streamlined.
Beyond the physical, there are also mental and spiritual things we need to leave behind to live a more manageable life. The biggest burden we carry is worry. I know that when our son was overseas I spent a huge amount of time and energy worrying about the things I couldn’t control. One day it all came crashing down around me.
I was driving home that morning after taking my younger sons to school. No matter how I tried, I couldn’t keep my mind on anything except what my oldest son might be facing on his current deployment. The tears began to flow as I cried out to God, unable to carry the burden of “what if” another moment longer.
It was as if God was in the car with me. I could almost physically feel His presence as His love enveloped me. He brought to mind all the times He’d shown how much he loved and cared for my children. I could feel Him reminding me that I only knew about the tip of the iceberg. There were so many times I didn’t even know how He planned their paths.
I took a deep breath, and my tears stopped. I could trust God with the burden of looking after my son safe. I envisioned gathering up all my worries and putting them one by one in God’s capable hands. As strange as it may seem, that exercise made all the difference. I still had moments of worry, but my fears no longer weighed me down.
I urge you to do the same thing. Let go of those burdens that complicate life. God is ready, willing and able. All we have to do is hand them over.
