A life without worry..

So I find that in Advent and actually in Lent as well, certain things come up in prayer that don't usually come up. But they are things that need to be dealt with. The thing that has come up for me has been the issue of worry. Let's also call it anxiety.

For me, I have always been somewhat of a worrier. Did I do this correctly? Will this work out in the end? Will I have this kind of job? Will I marry this kind of woman? Will I have enough money? It is enough to drive anyone off the deep end.

What I have learned recently is that, ultimately, the Lord is in control, and there is not much we can do to change things. Take a look at the current economic crisis in the United States. Millions of Americans have been saving up for retirement, putting so much effort into saving for an easy life after their working days. Now, it has all tanked. Lots of them cannot retire, and it would seem like all their efforts have been in vain. Life is so crazy like that. We cannot put faith in our efforts. When we do that, we begin to worry. Our faith has to be in the Lord. He is in control, not us. Furthermore, when we let the Lord take control and be the Master of our lives, life becomes much sweeter. Does it become easier? No. But we no longer have to worry or have these unneeded anxieties, because we can have full confidence that no matter what happens, the Lord will take care of us. Just read Matthew 6:25-34. The Lord will take care of us. Did he not promise us that? Why do we... why do I doubt that promise?

I love what St. Therese of Lisieux says... "Nothing upsets Jesus more than when we lose confidence in Him." Lord help us to be confident in you... You are the only stable thing in our lives, for you will never leave us. You have promised us Salvation, and we know that You will deliver. Lord we pray that you make us people of faith. We ask that you cast out all needless anxiety and worry from our lives. Grant us the peace that we so desire. We are confident in You Lord... We know that when we fix our eyes on You and Your will for our lives, You will bring us to where we need to be. Your will be done. Amen.