A Case Of Collywobbles

"I love learning the meaning of new words..."

I learned a new word today. The unusual noun popped up in my email called: “Uncover Words.” I’m not sure how this subscription started streaming into my feed, but as a writer, it’s been fun discovering new words and their meaning. It’s like having a daily one-word dictionary.

So, when the strange word appeared in my email, my curiosity grew…

Collywobbles means: “a feeling of nervousness or anxiety, often accompanied by stomach discomfort.” In that moment, I knew God was speaking directly to me. And I almost laughed at the irony of it. For several days, my stomach was in pain and knots because of various ongoing trials I was facing. And worry was eating away at my peace. I was having so much stomach discomfort that I was jumping into all kinds of treatments to aid my digestive distress. But little did I realize how much my underlying thought life was affecting my health.

While the remodel job from the busted pipes was hitting all kinds of troubles, snags, and progressing slowly, I didn’t realize I was feeling the stress. I’m a bit of a neat freak and clearly a bit of a worrier too. The chaos, messes, and uninsured expenses we were incurring with each passing day were starting to wear on me. And while I was trying to cast my cares upon God, my stomach was clearly telling a different story.

My new word and its meaning revealed I had the collywobbles!

"I was trying all kinds of meds to ease my distress..."

God was showing me I needed to release the anxiety I was feeling to Him. I could no more solve the problems or fix all the damage, any more than I could solve the financial burden it was costing us. I had to release these cares to God, because it was beginning to affect my health.

We are all spirit, soul, and body. And as a three-part human being, life’s trials can impact us in many ways. What weighs us down in our minds can also weigh us down physically. This is why it’s so important to constantly bring our troubles to God. He says, “Cast all your cares upon Me for I care for you.”

He knows we are weak and frail human beings at times. He knows our limitations. He knows what we can and cannot handle—even when we do not realize our limitations. He is a caring and compassionate Father. He has given us His Holy Spirit, His Word, and worship to help.

The question is: will I allow the collywobbles to guide my life? Or will I allow God to guide me? Will I bring every concern to Him--both big and small--until I’m restored to peace as I learn to abide in His strength? Worry never solved any problem.

What about you? What hardships, difficulties, and trials are you facing, too? Is worry and fear affecting your peace and health? Bring it all to your Father!

"You too, can cast your cares on God..."

Beloved:

I see you so clearly, every care, thought, and worry that you carry. Rather than try to deal with them in your own strength, come to Me. Give them to Me. Rest and abide in My love for you. You can trust that I am for you! Sit in My Presence until your peace is restored. I’ve got this. I’ve got you, beloved one!

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation...present your requests to God. And the peace of God...will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phils. 4:6-7)

“Fear not, for I am with you...I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you...” (Isaiah 41:10)