Week 25 Day 1
What to Do with Worry
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.
Psalm 46:1–2
God is our refuge in distress,
A present help when dangers press;
In him undaunted I’ll confide,
Though earth were from her centre toss’d,
And mountains in the ocean lost,
Torn piece-meal by the roaring tide.
What do you do with fear and worry? Lincoln had cause enough to worry, that’s for sure. As the future of the country hung in the balance, the number of things to cause concern were innumerable. But he seemed to be at peace during much of the war. How did he handle the stress? After the Battle of Gettysburg, General Sickles asked Lincoln if he had been anxious and worried about the result. Lincoln replied, “No, I was not; some of my cabinet and many others in Washington were, but I had no fears. . . . God Almighty had taken the whole business into his own hands . . . and that is why I had no fears.” Lincoln let God take his burdens, not worrying, but having faith. When he turned a matter over to God, he could forget about it and focus on things besides fear and worry. If Lincoln was able to turn over the Civil War to God, what do you think you can turn over to him?