Article January 21, 1991 Issue

On ruminating and speculating

I wonder when...? I hope.... What if ...? Such thinking may seem normal and reasonable, but it misses the good God is doing right now.

Susan Mack

Think back over the past twenty-four hours and you'll probably find that you had thoughts of concern for something you said or didn't say, did or didn't do; for how you've spent your money or for how you're going to afford something you need to purchase; for what some discomfort you felt might mean to your health or how it compares to something you felt before; for how a family member sounded when you last talked together or for how a friend will get through a particular difficulty; for what others have thought or are thinking about you, and so on.

In fact, in reviewing our thoughts in this way, it's surprising to see how rarely we think in the "now."

When we ruminate and speculate, we are dwelling in fear— fear that what was in the past or what's going to be in the future can harm us or others. We are in effect saying that God is not ever present and omnipotent and that He is not caring for and forever in control of His good and perfect universe. We are breaking the First Commandment and giving power to another god called evil.

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