The Troubles that Never Come
THE story is told of a lady who for a time kept a list of impending troubles. It was a relief to see them down in black and white. Some months later in looking over the list she was surprised to find that nine tenths of these troubles had never materialized. They had an existence only in her imagination. The troubles that never come form the heaviest part of our daily load. The worry and the fear caused by these apprehended miseries, often work sad havoc with brain and nerves. The actual sorrows, the bereavements, the disappointments have their comfort and cure. But there is no cure for troubles that never come. They are haunting ghosts, substantial as mist, yet very real in their repressing and harmful power over us. There is toil in our daily living; there is weariness; still blessed rest will follow. But the weariness of imagined burdens drags the very heart and hope out of those who indulge in these unhealthful fancies. Each day comes as a fresh gift from the hand of God. In it are just the experiences his loving wisdom has ordained. Meet with a brave heart all that is in the day's portion, but shrink not from phantom lions nor from shadows that seem to blot out the sun.—Selected.