When Worries Persist

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When Worries Persist
FRANCINE RIVERS

“Don’t worry /about anything; instead, pray /about everything. Tell God [what you need], and thank him /for all () he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything () we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds /as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

In the words of Winston Churchill, “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never.”

That must be the rallying call /for the woodpeckers /in our neighborhood, some of whom decided () [the vent holes beneath our eaves] are the perfect location /for their new homes. We’ve had one pesky fellow /trying to widen the access to our attic.

He managed to get through the wire mesh and pull out some insulation.

We wouldn’t have known () he was at work if he hadn’t decided to put his machine-gun beak /into our bedroom wall.

I leapt /off my exercise bike, ran to the wall, and pounded — with both fists.

Silence. For one whole minute.

I had no sooner returned /to cycling /than he was back at work. This time I ran out of the room, down the stairs and out through the back door. He fluttered calmly away and took a break /on the oak /down the hill. I know () he was smirking; I could feel it.

I went back /inside. By the time I reached the bedroom, he was back at the wall, probably laughing.

Such persistence!

He reminds me /of the worries //that can come /rat-a-tatting at my mind, usually late at night. The doubts and fears flutter in,

and I try to rat-a-tat some kind of solution. Then I remember: God is God, and I am not. Which means I have a decision to make: Keep rat-a-tatting, or let go and let God work.

* rat-a-tatting; a rapid succession of knocking, tapping, or cracking sounds.

We called in professionals /to help cover the woodpecker’s holes /with metal vents. When we find ourselves drilling our own holes /through constant worry, we can cover those vulnerable places /with prayer, which redirects our thought processes and keeps us focused on Jesus.

In Philippians 4:6-7, God promises that when we release our worries and turn /instead /to prayer, He will give us His peace

— a peace //that’s beyond anything () we can understand. His peace will guard our hearts and minds /from the anxieties //that can be as persistent /as a woodpecker.

Not discouraged, the woodpecker has started drilling his way into the telephone pole /across the street.

It’s a good reminder [to be diligent in prayer] and [not let worries flutter back and nest in my head].

* It = [to be diligent in prayer] and [not let worries flutter back and nest in my head].

* and (to) not let worries flutter back and nest in my head

Lord, it’s so easy to fall into worry. When my fears are reverberating in my mind, help me stop trying to fix everything myself.

Teach me [to turn to You in prayer], [trust You to be in charge] and [let Your peace reign over me]. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

  4     io      do                   do                         do
* Teach me to turn to You in prayer, (to) trust You to be in charge and  (to) let Your peace reign over me.