Last Thursday I had three lesions biopsied and then spent a week waiting for the phone call giving the results.  When the call finally came, I was in the church building kitchen, eating lunch with several friends.  My phone was in the sewing room at the opposite end of the building.

                When I returned to the sewing room, upon seeing that I had a missed call, I listened to the voicemail.  Instead of hearing, “Your results are in and all is well,” I heard the nurse asking me to call her back.  Usually, that means trouble.

                 I did call back, but unfortunately, that doctor takes every other Thursday afternoon and every Friday off, and this was his Thursday off.  I got the answering service, which told me that they were not taking calls again until Monday!

                With angst, I waited until Monday.

                Most of the time, our bodies let us know how we are doing.  Each of us has a unique way of showing when we are too stressed.  Taking care of worry is important.  In Matthew 6:34, Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  He is in charge, and He is taking care of us, but for me, that is easier said than done

                Years ago, in Mexico, I purchased a small box that has tiny dolls in it.  The shop keeper explained that with this “worry box,” I was to take the dolls out, tell them my worries, replace them and let them do the worrying.

                While living in Saudi Arabia, I saw many men with worry beads in their hands.  They were telling the beads their problems as they drew them between their fingers.

                In the book Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers suggested writing out a worry on a slip of paper, dating it, placing it inside a covered box and then shoving the box under the bed.  That is symbolic of giving the problem to God.

                Like the protagonist in the story, I, too, want to be a fixer.  It is difficult for me to let things go.  When I pray, often I tell God how to fix the problem instead of just telling what the problem is and asking Him to fix it.

                I do not talk to the worry dolls, nor do I own a string of worry beads.  I do not have a box under my bed with my problems in it; however, I do have a journal.  I have learned to write down my concerns, date them, and then I try to put my faith in God and not in myself.  When the answer comes, the date shows that God always answers, but in His own perfect time and way.  If God says no, or wait, then He has something better for me.                                                   

             Physical rest depends largely on our mental state.  Unique as we are, when we can give our troubles to the One who can answer them, each of us will find relief and release.  Refreshed mentally and spiritually, we can begin each day worrying less.

                Meanwhile, I waited for the biopsy results.  I prayed for God’s best.  Monday morning around 10:00, the nurse told me all the lesions were benign.  Immediately, I thanked God for His care.  Now I am trying to begin each day leaving my worries with God.

 Joyce Smith Broyles is a retired Library teacher and lives in Jennings, LA.