I took this photo from high atop Bucks Pocket State Park.  This park is uniquely hidden away in the corners of Jackson, Dekalb and Marshall Counties in north Alabama and secluded in a natural pocket of the Appalachian Mountain chain.  I am standing on the canyon rim that offers a breathtaking vista that always proves to be as tranquil and relaxing as it is rugged and beautiful.  Many times in my life when faced with a difficult situation or in times when I needed a little R & R, I have found myself here listening to the wind whistle and moan through the canyon below.

        Today I found myself standing near the edge and gazing at this weeping tree.  Apparently someone had decided to increase their viewing area by removing the limbs that were obstructing their view.  Consequently the sap that once brought life and vitality to this craggy tree now is oozing out and spilling onto the ground in an attempt to heal its severed limb.  This tree that once spent all his time and energy producing fruit and growing now is worried with nothing but survival.

        As I watched the flow of sap slowly leak from the wound I began to identify with the suffering tree.  I too have experienced times in my life when I have felt like all my energy and strength was oozing from me.   I have felt so drained and emotionally weakened at times that I wondered if I would find the power to keep on going.  As I beheld my damaged friend it occurred to me what produced those awful feelings in my heart.  It was times of worry and anxiety that wounded my soul and stole my strength.

        Why is worry so exhausting and draining?  We are so made that worry and anxiety are like putting sand in the machinery of life.  None of us are strong enough to carry today’s duties and tomorrow’s anxieties piled on top of them.  Anxiety springs from a determination to get my own way, no matter what; and once admitted as a guest quickly turns to be master.  The next thing you know the oozing begins to sap your strength and you are left exhausted, drained and too weak to stand up and fight.  Remember it is not work, but worry makes us weary and we can choose to lay our burdens down at the feet of One who wants to carry them for us.

Something to think about:

• Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father; who cares for you today, will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either he will shield you from suffering or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

• The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. When worry is present, trust cannot crowd its way in.

• Leave tomorrow’s trouble to tomorrow’s strength; tomorrow’s work to tomorrow’s time; tomorrow’s trial to tomorrow’s grace and to tomorrow’s Lord.

• Misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never happen.

• One is given strength to bear what happens to one, but not the one hundred and one different things that might happen

• Only man clogs his happiness with care, destroying what is, with thoughts of what may be.

• Your ship is equal to the load of today; but when you are carrying yesterday’s worry and tomorrow’s anxiety, lighten up or you will sink.

• Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday, and all is well.

• I worry, I putter, I push and shove, hunting little molehills to make mountains of.

Don’t worry or you’ll be sappy
Rickey Moore