Apparently I am not the only worry-wart in our congregation! Since Sunday's sermon on "worry" I've had several interesting conversations with others who struggle with worry and anxiety. As I've mentioned previously, I've lived with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder since I was assaulted in 2001. PTSD is an anxiety disorder resulting from a traumatic event and symptoms such as insomnia, hyper-vigilance and panic attacks have been part of my life. Thank God that, at this point in my journey, I have many more good days than bad. Yet I know how worry and anxiety can rob us of our joy, our hope, our life.

One way I've found to help lessen my anxiety is to live in the "now." I can't change the past. I can't control what will happen in the next minute, hour, day, or year. The only thing I do have some influence on is right now. I can chose to fret away my present moments, or I can chose to live them with joy and love. Some days it is easier to make this choice than others. When I am having a particularly worrisome day I try bring to mind Jesus' words, "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."

What are some things you worry about? How do you deal with worry? Do you have a way to curb your worry so it doesn't take over your life? What do Jesus' words about worry mean to you?