LIVING IN THE FOG

During this time of self-induced or mandated quarantine, we are looking for ways to spend our time. Many people are telling me that they have more time to worry. And they are worrying more!

Worry can be debilitating. It’s like walking on a treadmill – you expend a lot of energy, but you never go anywhere. Worry never eliminates tomorrow of its sorrows – it only zaps today of its strength. The great philosopher Linus said, “Worrying won’t stop the bad things from happening, it just stops you from enjoying the good things.”

I heard a cute story about a man who was always worried. He constantly talked about the bad things happening. People started to avoid him. But one day, he was whistling and had a big smile on his face. His neighbor saw him and asked, “Bill, you look happy – what’s happened? You don’t look worried.”

Bill replied, “Well, I don’t worry anymore.”

The man said, “What did you do?”

Bill said, “I hired a professional worrier who will do all my worrying for me.”

The neighbor said, “Wow, that’s really something!  He sure is doing a good job with you. What does something like that cost?”

Bill replied, “It costs $1,000 a week.”

The neighbor said, “Man, you don’t have that kind of money. You can’t afford $1,000 a week. How are you going to pay for that?”

Bill looked at him and said, “Joe, that’s not my worry.”

Worrying about small things can create big problems for us. A meteorologist studied fog that is so dense, you can’t see 6 feet in front of you and covers an area 7 blocks square, 100 feet from the ground up. That fog will be made up of only one large glass of water. If you break down that one glass of water, you will find millions of tiny drops. That one large glass of water all by itself causes no problem, but when it’s in the form of fog, it can paralyze a city and create a great number of accidents. Worrying converts a glass of water into a dangerous, dense fog.

Fog can have a different meaning. One day, I saw a friend and asked, “How are you doing?”

I expected some kind of stock answer. I was amazed when my friend replied, “I’m living in the fog.”

My first reaction was surprise, and the thought occurred to me that the response was rather odd. It sounded negative. Who wants to live in the fog? It sounds like you’re depressed, grieving, or confused. Then my friend said, “Living in the fog means I’m living in the favor of God.” Wow! What an answer! Living in the favor of God is a wonderful way to live every day.

To worry or not to worry is a choice. You’ve got more time to think during this pandemic. You can find lots to worry about or you can find lots to be grateful for. You can try to drive your life through a dangerous fog or you can live in the FOG, the favor of God. It’s your choice!

Read Matthew 6:25-34. After last week’s blog, someone sent me this couplet by an unknown author:

When we see the lilies spinning in distress, working hard to manufacture loveliness

When we see the birds all building barns for store, then it will be time for us to worry – not before.

I’ve checked the weather forecast – F.O.G – Favor Of God every day!