The Land of "If"

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. --Matthew 6:34

"The Land of If"

There is a place not far away
though its name you may not know
where each of us visits most everyday,
(and some are too eager to go!)
In this land we all have seen
the way we wish things were,
sometimes we see what might have been,
and the things that are still unsure.

It is the Land of If--
we've all been once or twice.
Usually it's quite lonely there
(and rarely is the weather nice.)

The Land of If might seem like a way
to deal with busyness and flurry,
but really it's just another way
to invite in fears and worry.
Beware of this land! Stay far away!
(I know it can be tough)
Keep your thoughts in the present day
for it has problems enough.


It happens to all of us at one time or another. We crawl into bed at night unable to completely relax because our minds are an endless parade of thoughts about things we think require our immediate attention. Whether you've wasted time trying to think of an excellent comeback for the rude comment made by the guy behind you in the checkout line at the grocery store, or you're worrying about things unseen, God wants us to surrender our worrisome thoughts to him.

Each of us likes to exhibit some degree of control over certain aspects of life. Most people, myself included, need to have orderliness and plans in order to feel at peace. When life deviates from the norm and orderliness and routines are disrupted, worry can set in.

God does not want us to live in a state of worry or in the Land of If. God's mercies are new every morning. He gives us the strength and peace we need one day at a time. When we feel ourselves being overwhelmed by even the smallest of incidents, we can come before God and ask Him to give us what we need to handle the situation. Because He will never leave us or forsake us, we can rest peacefully in Him no matter what is going on in life.

Each day has enough to worry about on its own. The more time we spend living in the Land of If, the more we miss out on the blessings that God has to give us in the present moment.