Yesterday, our son Theron went to his first summer camp. He is 12 years old and has spent very little time away from us other than staying with grandparents. He was very nervous about going to camp because of this.
Tonight, the camp nurse called and told us that Theron was having an asthma attack. Theron does not have chronic asthma, but when he is involved in physical activity or if he is around dust or smoke, it will set him off. Unfortunately, we had not prepared well and he did not have an inhaler with him.
I worry about Theron.
On Saturday, I leave for India. I have traveled overseas before. I went to London in 2004 and 2005 and went to Switzerland last year, but going to India will be a whole different experience for me. I am excited about the opportunity, but I also am very nervous. I worry about what will happen when I am there. I worry about being away from my wife and kids for two weeks.
Dr. Alan Zimmerman in his book PIVOT: How One Turn in Attitude Can Lead to Success has an entire chapter on worry. Basically he says that worry wastes our lives in four ways. It wastes our time, energy, health and spirituality.
I think the most important comment he made in this chapter is that worry and faith are incompatible. He states that worry and faith that sits on opposite ends of the same teeter-totter. This is why prayer is so important in our lives. Prayer puts God in our lives and helps us replace the worry. If we put our faith in God, we do not need to worry.
I believe this, and I have faith that God will help Theron through this week. Even though it will be difficult for him at times, this week will give Theron some of the best experiences that he will remember for the rest of his life. I have faith that God will be with me during my trip to India. He will watch over me during the flight and protect me while I am in a foreign land. I still have those momentary lapses where the worry does overtake me. I just need to stop and ask God to help me in those situations.
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