How to Stop Carrying Unnecessary Weight

Caring people can find themselves under a load heavy enough to crush six people. If you can relate to this, stop! Put the load down. Take a good look at it, and you will find that load is all borrowed. Some from the past when old heartaches and sorrows seemed to weigh you down; some of the weight belong to yesterday, some from tomorrow, some even for next week or longer ahead. All "borrowed" as a wise man once said. This is what is crushing. An ancient blunder, really not uncommon.

St. Paul said "when old heartaches and sorrows" and a host of other worries or concerns "seem to weigh us down and blot out the sunshine, forget 'those things which are behind,' and 'reach forward to the joys before us...."

The life that matters tells you what to expect. No need for gloom. Know that day follows night, that spring and summer succeed winter. Know, also, that the road traveled is not always going to be easy. Knowing will make you aware of possibilities and, therefore, wiser. Knowing need not include gloom. After all, you are a member of God's family. Place all your hope and confidence in Him. God has no record of failure.

We make our own hindrances. Our Creator has done all He can to free us from every weight. He has given us forgiveness for the past; He helps us in the present, give us assurance for the future. As we face the coming days of the new year, know that each day brings us closer to our Master's return. Lay aside all truly unnecessary weight. Forget and forgive the ills behind you, the unkindness which friends and foes have shown; the murmuring you may hold. Hope in God. You have but one day to worry about -- today. Here is what you need to consider:

Yesterday -- There are two days in every week about which you should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension. One of these days is yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond your control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. You cannot undo a single act you performed. You cannot erase a single word you said. Yesterday is gone -- forever -- beyond recall.

Tomorrow -- The other day you should not worry about is tomorrow, with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and perhaps its poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond your immediate control. Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise. Until it does, you have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.

Today -- This leaves only one day for you to worry about -- Today. Any man can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when you and I add the burden of those two awful eternities, yesterday and tomorrow, that we break down. It is not the experience of today that drives men mad. It is the remorse or the bitterness for something which happened yesterday or the dread of what tomorrow might bring. Therefore, do your best to live just one day at a time.

Most of my ills I have cured, and the worst I have always survived.

But the very worst ones I've endured -- were those that never arrived. -- Annoymous

Words of wisdom (abbreviated) from circa 1692 are offered for the opening of your new year 2007:

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons...

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism...

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul...

Sorrow looks back;

Worry looks around;

Faith looks UP.

Bob -30-

P.S. To view Bob's Blogs from the mid-2006, click: http://fourwinds.blogster.com and you will find a variety of topics.

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