It’s the beginning of a new year and I’ve already stressed myself out and worried myself to death over things I can’t control. I’m in the midst of a very important, high-profile project that could have a very impactful outcome on my design business and on me. I’ve got a lot riding on this project. I want to make sure the end results make me look good, make my sponsors look good, make the homeowners look good, basically everyone involved look good. I’m doing everything within my control to make sure that the outcome is a positive one but I’m also stressing over the things I can’t control. I’ve been worrying over this project every waking moment from the time I go to bed til the time I wake up. Have you ever been in the same situation? Have you ever had a vital work project, task or relationship that obsesses your every thought during you work day and your family time? How do you overcome such a worry? I tried several things….

The first thing I tried was to tell myself to STOP. Stop thinking about it, stop worrying about it, stop giving it so much power. That didn’t work.

The second thing I tried was to discuss my worry with my husband. My husband is wise, discerning and calm. As a recent retiree, his current motto is “No hurries, no worries.” Although he gave me some great advice, I was still experiencing worry. His advice was helpful but not resolving.

Then I tried praying and reading my daily devotion in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Yesterday, I read the devotion dated January 6. Here’s an excerpt: “I am able to do far beyond all that you ask or imagine. Come to Me with positive expectations, knowing that there is no limit to what I can accomplish. Ask My Spirit to control your mind, so that you can think great thoughts of Me.” The excerpt goes on to say, “The more extreme your circumstances, the more likely you are to see My Power and Glory at work in the situation. Instead of letting difficulties draw you into worrying, try to view them as setting the scene for My glorious intervention. Keep your eyes and your mind wide open to all that I am doing in your life.” Oh my goodness, how timely is that composition?

After reading that devotion and listening to God, I started to see an answer but I still had worry in my heart and mind. Today at church the pastor spoke about transformation and how to change your way of thinking. One of my takeaways from that sermon is “Allow God to guide you.”

As I was sitting there listening to the pastor’s words and allowing the Spirit to enter my mind and heart, I literally felt worry leaving my body. God revealed to me, right there in my chair, in that auditorium, in the middle of hundreds of people, that I’m thinking about this project completely wrong. The goal of this project is not to make me look good, not to make my business look good, not to make the space look good, not to make anyone or anything look good. The one and only propose is to make God look good. Wow, what a total transformation of thinking.

God immediately changed my focus from thinking about the worries of this project to how can I give glory to God in this project. How can I represent Him. How can I showcase Him. How do I feature God through this project. With that, I have a new direction. I have a sense of peace. I’m not going to worry about the things I can’t control. I’m not going to worry about anything! I’m now going to put all my thoughts and effort into how I can glorify God in this project. The look of this project, the feel of this project and the takeaway experience of this project will be for the Glory of God! I don’t have all the answers yet and I don’t know how I will accomplish this new outlook. But I do know that making God the primary focus of this project, He will reveal to me exactly what He wants and I can’t wait to share it with you in the coming months. How will you Glorify God in your work, in your home, in your life? Let’s pray about it.

Blessings

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