I have to be honest and say that I have a history of worry. I still remember what my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Griswold, said to me. She said that I “make mountains out of molehills.” I wish she wasn’t right but that is my tendency. I’ve been working through the 70 resolutions of Jonathan Edwards and resolution #57 says…

Resolved, When I fear misfortunes and adversity, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it and let the event be just as Providence orders it. I will, as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin.

Edwards understood that there are things we can control and things we can’t control. Author Stephen Covey says that we have a circle of influence and a circle of concern. Our circle of influence is composed of the things that we can do something about and our circle of concern is composed of things we may have concern for but can’t really control. Edwards was essentially saying here that he resolved to focus on his responsibility before God and to trust him with the results. For such a complex thinker like Edwards, this was a pretty simple way to live.

I feel tempted to worry about what others will think of me and how events may or may not unfold. Worry gives the allusion of productivity when it really accomplishes nothing. What would it look like for all of us to take a step here? I wish I could speak from a place of authority on this but it’s still something I’m in the process of working through. If we would simply focus on our responsibility before God and trust him with everything else, I guarantee you that life would be a lot simpler. Do you have any thoughts on how to grow in this area? Share them with the rest of us!