Let's start our day with some good news. This morning's Wall Street Journal reports that flight delays cascaded across the country Monday after a computerized guidance system failed briefly at LAX, reducing its capacity by 50 percent. At least the same hasn't happened this morning. But then it's only morning.

Meanwhile, The Dallas Morning News notifies us that eating just one meal high in saturated fat can hurt us, as it prevents good cholesterol from protecting us against clogged arteries. So far I haven't clogged an artery, though lunch is just hours away.

The worst news of the day is found on every front page in the country, I suspect. The New York Times: "Biggest oil field in U.S. is forced to stop pumping." Dallas Morning News: "Alaska oil cutoff to raise gas prices." The Wall Street Journal: "Oil price surges as BP shuts off big Alaskan field." The company detected heavy corrosion and a small leak in a critical part of its Prudhoe Bay pipeline, and began shutting it down yesterday. Prices at the pump are expected to rise another five cents, as eight percent of American crude oil production is halted for repairs. At least I don't run British Petroleum, though I'm going to be giving another nickel a gallon to those who do.

See how easy it is to find good news? Most of life is in the attitude. We don't always get all that we expect, but we seldom get more. A positive mental attitude is essential to success. Make up your mind to be happy today, and you probably will be.

All that is true, so far as it goes. But my happy thoughts don't change the fact that war continues in the Middle East, and in Iraq, and in Afghanistan. My good wishes don't keep Iran from continuing its nuclear arms buildup, or the second-hottest July in history from morphing into a scorching August. Typing these words on my laptop, my positive mental attitude can only do so much. A stiff upper lip doesn't prevent a broken nose.

For that I need a Power greater than my perspective, a Reality beyond my thoughts. Human words cannot really change human hearts. The ultimate antidote to worry is not to will it away, but to give it away: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7, emphasis added). That's good news, indeed.

What anxiety will you give to God first?

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