Don't Cross That Bridge!
Darci J. Steiner, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
Not all bridges are meant to be crossed. Some are beaten up, others are unfinished. Most bridges bring delight, whether to admire them architecturally, to stand on them and gaze at the sparkling flow of the river beneath, or to cross over on a nature walk. But there are other bridges that, when crossed, can take us to scary places, maybe places we didn't need to visit.
A counselor once advised me, "Don't cross that bridge unless you come to it." What is it about bridges that beckon us to cross? Even the scary ones in our heads? For instance, we await a diagnosis, and our mind goes to the most frightening possible outcome. Or we can't get in touch with a friend—"She must have gotten in an accident!" It's so easy to imagine the worst!
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
Wherever we fall on the spectrum of possible outcomes, I have difficulty not catastrophizing certain situations. Once a step or thought is taken on that bridge, isn't it more likely that another will follow? One thought leads to the next and the next, and the dominoes fall.
Imagine your thoughts stopping you halfway across the bridge, not fully catastrophizing. Using the same scenarios, they may look like this: "There are treatments for that possible diagnosis." "My friend must be super busy with all of her responsibilities."
Now stand at the sacred, trusting place just before stepping onto that metaphorical bridge.
Scenario one, ideal:
"In this place of waiting, I will not panic; God's hand is upon me. I will trust in him."
Scenario two, ideal: "
My friend will call me back when she's got a free moment."
The truth is, through God's Spirit, we have been given self-discipline:
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
How do you exercise self-discipline in your life?
When we are tempted to walk the worry road, remember to exercise your God-given self-discipline. You have control over your thoughts. The more you practice self-discipline, the better you become at it. Practice now to place your worries before the bridge, eradicating them. You do not have to follow the temptation to step onto the bridge, walking into a mess that may not happen. Some bridges are better left alone. The Worry Bridge is one of them. Turn around and walk the other way.
Most of the time, the worst-case scenario doesn't become our reality. However, sometimes it does: The diagnosis is dire; the friend was in a car accident.
Now, we do have to take our first step onto that bridge. Maybe we've never had to walk across this kind of bridge before and have many fears about doing so. Again, we can practice self-discipline one step at a time.
As we take that necessary step, we must remember that our metaphorical bridge has beam reinforcements of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit if we invite them in. They are your support beams as you walk one step at a time across that bridge, perhaps facing your mortality or a friend's pain. When we must cross the bridge, we can cross it confidently and faithfully, or we face a weak, broken bridge.
The choice is ours. "Don't cross that bridge unless you come to it", requires self-discipline. It takes self-discipline not to worry but to trust in God. He is the light unto our path (Ps 119:105), wherever that path leads.
So go forward, one stepping-stone at a time, living a life with a disciplined mind. Give up the control you only think you have. It is a farce. Set your thoughts on Him. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He will lead you as you navigate your next step. Put His reinforcements in place—invite Him to be your fortification.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
PRAYER
Father, help me set my mind on things above, not earthly things (Col 3:2). You give me self-discipline to keep my heart inclined toward Yours. When I face worry bridges, activate Your guidance, Spirit, and Your wisdom, Father, and be my anchor, Jesus. I choose to give my worries to You today and instead practice self-discipline.
