Letting Go Anxiety

How many times in a day we find such cases in our neighborhood:
- A dysfunctional family quarreling about each member's share of the estate?
- A couple undergoing divorce and disputing over the right to raise their children?
- A man or woman being slandered for no wrong?
- A teenager lacking love at home that falls into reckless living?
- A child abandoned by his/her irresponsible parents?

Each of the above stories is enough to cause us real pain and distress. And, this is what happens in everyday life.
With so much sorrow and aggravation we face each day on the planet, we tend to ask God, "Why?"
Why all these troubles? Why all the cares, pain, and hardship?
Some even say, "Why is God tempting us?"

My Friends, God does not tempt anyone, "but each man is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed" (James 1:14).

I guess it will help to view all the pain and sorrow in this world as part of the transient nature of life. Take a good look, and soon they're gone. As soon as one considers them, they vanish like a vapor of smoke. Mere illusion life on Earth is!
Solomon said it so well in the Scripture:

"For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten. Their love, their hate, and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 9:5-6).

Anger, anguish, pain, grief, disputes, quarrels, vengeance, hatred (and the list goes on) are not worth clinging on to.
They don't last!
Who would remember who we were, what our problem was, how we managed to solve (or ruin) our lives, and why had we settled our matters, after we have died? A hundred years from now there will be no rememberance of our lives aside from meaningless names carved on forgotten tombstones!
Why take to heart things so fleeting?
Why choose the path of joyless life?

The Teacher presents us the key to live a full, joyful life while living in this transient world: CONTENTMENT.
We know that our problems, anxiety, and unhappiness would diminish by far if each of us knew how to be content and grateful with what we have (that is, what God grants us to have), not with what we don't have!
As Apostle James would say, "If you know how to control your desire, you won't fall into temptation!"

This is Solomon's advice to us:

"Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart (be grateful with your everyday's blessing), for it is now that God favors what you do (love the job you're running). Always be clothed in white (maintain an upright outlook and attitudes), and always anoint your head with oil (be filled with God's guiding Word and Spirit). Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love (cherish and nurture love in your marriage and family), all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun -- all you meaningless days (make the best use of your lifetime). For this (contentment in all things) is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (do the best while you can)" (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10).

What a wonderful place this planet would be, if each of us knows how to be content and grateful, instead of filling our hearts and minds with desires that lead to much pain and suffering?
Do the world a favor: spare yourself of discontentment!
Enjoy life to the fullest while you still have the chance!