Worry is Negative Prayer
Somewhere I read that worry is a form of prayer. Those negative thoughts and feelings use the same energy as prayers said with faith. We attract into our reality the results of the thoughts and feelings to which we give power. Doesn’t it say in the Bible that what Job feared the most came upon him? Perhaps his dwelling on fear was really praying for disaster! No wonder spiritual teachers as well as doctors and therapists urge us to abandon worrisome thoughts and replace them with more positive thoughts.
The polar opposites are Gratitude, Thankfulness and Appreciation. When practiced they have a magical, transformative power.
A Life Lesson
Several years ago my late husband Jim and I were trying to dig ourselves our of a deep financial pit. Jim was working part time at a church as well as conducting many weddings and funerals in our county. I was the family record keeper as well as completing my masters degree and caring for a terminally ill son.
Most of our income was from checks ranging from $100-$300. One day, while preparing a deposit, I caught myself saying to myself, “This isn’t enough.” I realized I’d been saying that statement like a mantra for months each time I added up a deposit. The feelings that resulted were predictable: hopelessness, tiredness, fear.
I decided that from that day on, whenever I endorsed a check for deposit, I would say this prayer, “Thank you God for this deposit. Thank you that it is more than enough.” We attract into our reality the results of the thoughts and feelings to which we give power.
Adopting a Spiritual Practice
About that time I read Sarah Ban Breathnoch’s book, Simple Abundance. She encouraged the keeping of a daily gratitude journal. Every night, in a small notebook by my bedside, I wrote down 5 things for which I was thankful. I remember once as I looked out the kitchen window I thought, “Wow, that green shade of the lawn is so beautiful. Thank you, God for that shade of green.” I added that to my list that night.
Over the next several months the financial situation gradually began to change. But long before the debts were paid and the income more secure, I began to feel wealthy, secure, content, unafraid.
Thoughts Produce Feelings
It is definitely true that our thoughts create our feelings and we have total control over our thoughts…maybe not the fleeting, momentary thoughts that seem to arrive without invitation, but we choose the thoughts we dwell on…those that occupy our time and attention. Dwelling on a thought becomes a form of prayer.
To be clear, I am not saying that everything that we experience is the result of our thoughts. I believe there are other factors at work in our lives, as well. But my thoughts DO have a significant amount influence over how I feel and how I perceive my world.
Switch Thoughts from Negative to Positive
We can switch thoughts as easily as a train is switched from one track to another. The track it’s on determines the destination of the train. It’s a conscious act, an intention, a decision to switch from worry to trust, from doom and gloom, to hope, from fear to love. It isn’t always easy, and, even now, isn’t automatic for me. I consider it a spiritual practice. Whenever negative, worrisome thoughts try to settle down and roost in my mind, my intention is to keep making the conscious choice be grateful, thankful and appreciative. As a result, in spite of some circumstances that might be considered challenging, I mostly live in peace. That outcome makes the practice worth the effort.
You have my love and support,
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