Anticipation as worry…

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
    are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
    who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

Matthew 2:3-6 NLT

 We worry more than we need to. Our imagination scares us more than what's real.

Seneca

 Day three of this week of anticipation looks at the downside of anticipation, the times when we worry needlessly and sometimes make poor decisions based on that needless worry.  As before, we will look at both a Biblical character and take a more personal view.  King Herod was the ruler over Judea when Christ was born.  He is historically known as a cruel and jealous ruler, even executing some of his immediate family during his reign.  When the Magi were following the Star, they stopped to ask where the King of Jews was to be born as as they were going there to worship him.  Herod was immediately upset at the thought of his reign being threatened by one greater than himself. He told the wise men to go to search for the child and report back to him, theoretically so that he could go and worship the child also, though that was a lie of epic proportions.   This needless worry about Herod’s earthly kingdom caused him sleepless nights, as well as endless agitation over something that was beyond his understanding; he did not realize that Jesus was not coming to earth to replace Herod’s earthly rule.  

 Have you ever worried about something that never came to pass?  Of course, you have.  We have all obsessed over something terrible that we thought was likely to happen. Sleepless nights and replaying potential scenarios in our minds over and over again.  In the aftermath of grief, one of my sons was poised to make a life change that I was deeply concerned about.  Over a period of weeks, I struggled emotionally and prayed to accept the change with grace and support…and to not say anything that I would regret later.  After all was said and done, the dreaded change did not happen and life moved forward.  Needless worry…we have all been there…

What are you worried about that may never come to pass?  Will your worry change the outcome?