Lay 'em Down

I worry. I worry about work, meeting deadlines, my ever-growing to-do list, our house, about my family & friends. I worry about money and our future.  I worry that I don't have enough time to spend with those I love often enough. I worry if I said the right thing or did the right thing or if I should have reacted differently in situations daily. I worry that I am not able to balance work and everything else with being a perfect wife for David. I worry if people see me for who I truly am inside. I worry about that pile of laundry or what to cook for dinner or if the house is clean enough for dinner guests. I worry if I am involved enough or involved too much. I worry if skipping the gym for a week straight is going to add 5 pounds to my thighs. I even worry about my unborn children and the world they will grow up in.  I worry about the tragedy and sadness and uncertainty I see on the news each night.  I worry about the state of our economy, our Earth's resources and beauty that we destroy daily, and America’s youth.  I worry. A lot.

What a large burden to carry.  Some of the concerns are legitimate issues, but most are “what if’s” and things that I plague myself with unnecessarily.  Yesterday was an especially worrisome day for me.  No real important reason, but my anxiety level was nearly off the charts.  After work, I thought an hour at the gym would relieve some of the stress. I got on the only open elliptical (the one with the broken headphone jack so I couldn’t watch Cash Cab).  So, it was just me and my kaleidoscope of thoughts.  My iPod was on shuffle and the most appropriate song started to play.  “Lay 'em Down” by needtobreathe.  It's a song that always speaks so true to me, and it was just what I needed to hear.  Serendipitous.

Come down to the river
Come and let yourself in
Make good on a promise
To never hurt again
If you're lost and lonely
You're Broken down
Bring all of your troubles
Come lay 'em down

All you sinners
And the weak at heart
All you helpless
On the boulevards
Wherever you are now
Whatever evil you've found
Bring all of your troubles
And come lay 'em down

We're all tied to the same old failing
Finding shelter in things we know
We're all dirty like corrupted small towns
We'll bring our troubles
Lay 'em down

Why do we burden ourselves with things that don’t matter or are out of our control?  I don’t have an answer to that.  I am not a doctor, but as a professional worrier, I know that I need to let go, for the sake of my health. And surprise! I'm also not a preacher, but I do know there is no need to worry because it is all in God's hands.  He begs us to dump our burdens on Him. When lay down my troubles, I sleep better, I smile more, and I breathe easier.

I have two Bible verses (one on the fridge and one on the mirror in our bedroom) that remind me not to worry each day...

Inside, I feel like if I don't worry about something, then it means I don't care.  It's just not true. Because I care, I trust in God enough to put my worries on Him and let Him have the control.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Labor Day weekend!