Take a moment to review your day yesterday. Or, if you are reading this in the evening, review today. What did you worry about most during the day?

Whatever it is, Jesus has the same answer: “Do not worry.” (Matthew 6:25)

Saint Cloud had a lot of reasons to worry during his 38-year stint on this earth, but he learned to turn those worries into prayer.

Cloud was born into the royal family in France in 522 AD. When he was young, his father was killed in battle, and this set off a vicious power struggle within the family. Two of Cloud’s brothers were brutally murdered by their own uncles. Cloud managed to escape this fate by fleeing to bishop Regimus, who would later become a saint. Later, he was able to find protection under his grandmother, Saint Clotilde. 

Though Cloud’s life presented plenty of reasons to worry, he continually turned to God in prayer. Each time he did, his trust in God grew.

Eventually, Cloud decided to devote himself totally to God. He renounced his royal claim and chose the monastic life, a radical departure from the pursuit of power and security that had defined his early years. Saint Cloud lived the rest of his life in complete dependence on God. How many worries do you think he surrendered to God in his lifetime?

Most people spend a lot of time worrying. We are anxious about so many things.

It’s natural to have a passing concern about this or that, but as that concern crosses our minds, we find ourselves at a fork in the road. 

One fork in the road leads to the land of rumination. Our minds delight in ruminating on problems. We think all our worry and anxiety is working toward a solution, but it isn’t. We think all this ruminating is accomplishing something. It isn’t. 

The other fork in the road leads high into the mountains. It is the path of prayer. This is definitely the road less traveled. We would rather worry uselessly about things we cannot change than pray with purpose to the One who can change all things. 

When you are anxious or worried, observe yourself, do you pray? If not, why not. 

Trusting God is the antidote for worry and anxiety. Prayer is a simple expression of trusting God. Turn your worry into prayer.



Feast Day: September 7

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Regina

Patron Saint of: Nail Makers and Against Carbuncles

Also Known As: Saint Clodoald

Symbols: A Chalice