A Word to the Troubled Believer

Why are we so troubled and cast down?

Why so perplexed and overwhelmed?

Why, dragging in the hole upon ourselves

We ignore the source from which hope stems?

Why do words of others slice us through

As though we are on a cutting block?

Who gives the authority to shape our mood

And we have no power to make him stop?

 

 

When we’re sad someone else is responsible,

When anger rushes in someone else is blamed,

When anxiety stops us dead in our tracks

We are in no doubt about that somebody’s name.

“I am in control of my own life,” we often say,

Sticks and stones break bones but words, never!

But when bodily injuries have long healed

Those left on the mind still cause a shiver.

We’re not our own but oft controlled by another,

A relative, a friend or some important other,

Who make us smile when they so desire

And frown to the extent that we even perspire.

They are at the work place and also in the home,

At the club you’ll find them; they decide our tone,

Present in the church and they’re also on the street

With words to change our mood every time we meet.

 

Why entrust my frame of mind to another’s whim?

Why to a best friend, the boss or a next of kin?

Why should another determine my disposition?

Why can’t I wrest this control from any of them?

Just a few moments ago I was having a good laugh,

Compliments of a friend that acts like he’s daft,

Then as sudden as summer rain my mood changed

With the mouthing of one who is clearly deranged.

 

And more often than not they’re just a pack of lies

Looking for an audience to gather round like flies,

There’s nothing like rumour which stretches for miles

That puts a frown on a face and remove all the smiles.

Need not be a friend sometimes a mere acquaintance

Can ruffle our feathers or make us rue his existence,

And stretch our faces to a pained and ugly mask

Making our lives much more difficult a task.

That sphere of our life that we give over to others

Should be given only to God and not another,

The Father alone should determine our mood

And His peace and joy should be to us as food.

 

Next time you are angry don’t blame some one,

Accuse yourself and make an effort to move on,

You will eventually find out that after a while

Blaming someone else would not be your style.

It may take a year, two years or may be three,

Once you get the hang of it you will be free,

Liberated from those to whom you gave control

And those you allowed to put your life ‘on hold’.

Your witness would be brighter; that’s a fact,

And clearer to them that once held you back,

God would get the praise, the honour and glory

As your life narrates a totally different story.

 

So, what is your resolve now you know all this?

Will you go on as usual and put your joy at risk?

Give up your peace of mind to all who insist

Or decide now, all negative influences, “Dismiss”?

Stewart Russell © 2014