On vacation recently, a couple of things happened that surprised me.
We went to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio one day. I kept saying I wasn’t sure I wanted to go on the spinning rides like the Scrambler because the last time I went on it I almost got sick. Add my bouts with vertigo in recent years and I was sure the little rides that spun me around in a circle would be too much.
Well, I tried one small ride and it wasn’t too bad.
Then I went on another one and it didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would either.
I went on quite a few and I never did feel sick.
I almost missed out on some fun because I assumed my body would react a certain way and it didn’t.
After that long day of excitement, we drove down to Tennessee to visit my parents. We had fun talking, playing dominoes, and watching recorded episodes of “The Chase” on TV.
As the end of our visit neared, I braced myself for a teary goodbye. The last couple of times we’ve visited, I got choked up as we headed down the street from their house. It came on suddenly and the strong emotions surprised me. I guess I was thinking about how they’re getting older and wondering how much longer I’d have them.
Well, this time we hugged them goodbye, got in the car, headed down the street and . . . no tears!
What does that mean? I wondered. Did I not love them as much? Should I be crying?
Of course I love them. I don’t have to cry every time I leave them.
I can take what comes.
I’ve always had a tendency to overthink everything that happens to me and every thought I have. As I get older, I don’t have the energy to do that as much as I did when I was younger, but it still plagues me way too often.
I’m gradually learning that I can accept the circumstances in my life and not think them to death. I can look curiously at the emotions I feel.
If I feel sad, I can cry. If I’m happy, I can laugh. If I’m angry, I can really feel it and decide if I need to let it go or do something about it.
I can take what comes and not worry about if it’s the right or wrong way to feel. The Holy Spirit can comfort me, convict me, encourage me, or compel me—no matter what comes my way.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1–4 NIV)
Do you overthink how you’re feeling or what’s happening in life? How can focusing on God help you take what comes and trust him as you move ahead?
Way way over think and worry about everything. I make myself God’s right hand man. I need to let go and let God be in control. So glad you could go on vacation. We just had our family here.
Hi Jonna! Vacations are so fun, aren’t they? It was good to get away for a little while. Hope you enjoyed your family and that you’re getting better about letting God handle things instead of overthinking. (It’s so hard, but I think it can get easier with practice!) Thanks for commenting! ~Robyn