It’s the Fourth of July- the iconic holiday that brings us hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill, sweltering heat and, of course, fireworks. I really enjoy fireworks. I love the colors and the excitement that light up the sky. The booms and sounds give you such a festive, celabratory feeling.
When you attend a fireworks show you are always in for a surprise. Once the fireworks are launched you are not sure what will you will see. Will it be a huge explosion of color, will it be a whistling, twirling small light, or will it be a dud? You know duds, the ones you expect something huge and they just whimper out.
This is like life, isn’t it? It is full of unexpected surprises on a daily basis. Things you think are going to be a huge deal often whimper out like the dud explosives. Other times you have unexpected situations light up your whole world in a positive or sometimes negative way. Don Draper said “Our worst fears lie in anticipation.”
Let me tell you more about anticipation. I have recently taken up shooting. I really enjoy it, however I am no Annie Oakley. My skills are a work in progress. (OK, I have issues hitting the side of a barn. LOL) My biggest problem is anticipating the sound and the recoil. I haven’t learned how to just relax and shoot. Therefore I am not able to hit the targets.
I do the same thing in life. I see a situation and anticipate the worst case scenarios. My mind takes me from 0-60 panic mode in milliseconds. I brace myself and tense up. This is called Anticipation Anxiety. With this type of anxiety we may fixate on the things we can’t control or predict. This is like worrying about bleeding before you are even cut. My personal trauma with grief heightens this feeling and intensifies my reactions. Something that would not phase another person sends me reeling.
The answer to this dilemma comes from Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your paths.” (NKJV) If I TRUST, LEAN NOT, and ACKNOWLEDGE He promises to direct my path. It gives me confidence that I don’t have to live life in a knee-jerk reaction mode. I can stop anticipating the worst and enjoy the show. He’s the one in charge of my life.
We need to re-learn positive anticipation.We grew up anticipating Christmas, birthdays, the Fourth of July, yet over the years we have let that wane. Sharon Gannon said “Live with the anticipation that something incredible may happen at any time.”
Start looking for the huge explosions of blessings that God brings. Quit focusing on the “what ifs”. Look to the sky and marvel in the beauty of the colors and lights that brighten your life. Every firework offers you the opportunity to see possibilities. Some situations will whimper out or be a dud. Anticipate that something great will happen to you today! Happy Fourth of July guys!
