Overcoming worry

Okay let me just start off by sharing this, I’m great at many things, but I suck at worry! I make up a lot of scenarios in my head about how things might happen, and then they never do. So I start wasting time creating roadmaps and backup plans. I actually explain anxiety and worry as the process of carrying around an umbrella when rain hasn’t even been forecasted. It is fear in an unknown factor that may not exist, or that you can't control. It’s so dangerous because all it proves is you lack faith; which is hoping for (not worrying about) a positive result, that you can't see.

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself- Matthew 6:34 

I, like many of you may be in a season that constantly threatens me with the fears of worry. As I began to realize this more, and began studying about it, my daughter walks in the room and says, "mom, what are we having for breakfast tomorrow?" I paused, and gave her the most confused look and said, "don’t worry about that, go put on your pajamas and brush your teeth."

But the truth is, that was a reflective moment of how God might be looking at me every time I’ve allowed all of these ideas, plans, and concerns, that I have for the next day, next week, next month to consume me. 

So I wanted to share a quick story with you, and hopefully help you navigate through surrendering your worry. 

When the Israelites complained in the wilderness, after being freed from slavery, there were certain times that water or food was scarce. They said to God, "you could’ve let us die in comfort, in Egypt, yet you brought us to the wilderness to die and starve to death." They werent actually starving to death, and they werent going to in the future, but when they didnt see immediate results, they began to worry. As I came across this story, it made me think about this runaway spirit, or shut down mentality that I had adopted when things got hard in my life. When one thing piled up after another, and when I had the option to trust God through it, sometimes I didn't always choose that option. In those moments, where I was uncomfortable with God ultimately testing my faith, I wasn't thinking about trusting God, I was thinking about defending myself. It was easier for me to think about the good old days, or how good things used to be, that as my mind wandered back to those spaces, I became less and less interested in being present right where I was.

The truth is, trials are a requirement of humanity, and they are an essential prerequisite of maturity. We rejoice in scriptures that say we go from glory to glory, but despise the ones that say oh to know Him in His suffering. So WHEN the latter comes, we have an immediate choice to choose worry or faith. Now, I didn't say perfection, because sometimes we will have scattered thoughts about worry, but when it begins to consume you, consider this:

1. it’s a mental battle- get out of your own way. Even if you have to start talking out loud to yourself, it’s cooler to look crazy, than to actually be crazy, because of the peace you’re robbing your mind from- "self it doesn’t actually matter, let it go," - then ask yourself, is this a true concern- is this threatening my life? - or am I just worried or fearful of what I can’t control 

- "Concern you own, worry owns you"- Dr. Tony Evans

2. replace worry with gratitude -- this can look a few different ways

• 1. A few months ago when the bills were due, a random check showed up in the mail, Last time I was feeling discouraged, you used my friend to randomly send me a text message of encouragement. reflect on the prior good to project the infinite possibilities of good to come.

• 2. God I thank you for being my provider.- He already knows what you need.

• 3. There are people who have nothing, that could easily be me, God thank you for what I do have and cover me with a spirit of humility

3. When you’re feeling anxious that’s an invitation to pray-

-Pray this simple prayer 

• - God cleanse me from a spirit of worry, anxiety, or fear, and replace it with a spirit of trust in you.

• -God give to me this day my daily bread, all that I need today let me see it as enough, and help me to trust you tomorrow with what will come.

Here's the catch, once you pray, you have to let it go, and trust that God will do whatever is in His will. One of my great friends recently shared with me that there's a thin line between conviction and condemnation; you can be convicted by the act of worry, but once it is brought to your awareness, release it and move on.

-Philippians 4:6 be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let

your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

4. Take two- identify and write down two things I know I have control over that I can accomplish today and have enough grace to know that if they don’t happen, it’s not the end of the world. Then follow up with yourself later on.*

5. When a thought of worry presents itself, write it down, which releases it from your mind in that moment, and then tell yourself you will follow up with that thought later, Give yourself a set time to follow up with that list later on in the day, and try the following:

• identify if it is a concern or a worry, if it is a worry release it, cross a line through it, crumble up the piece of paper, or pray about it

• write down a positive solutions that can come from this concern, for example I am worried about how I will pay my bills, one positive solution could be to contact your bill companies and ask for a later due date to give you more time.

• write down a positive outcome that can come from this concern, for example more time will give me the space to relook over my budget, or reach out to someone who might be able to help, which ultimately alleviates me worrying about how it will get paid

• *This may also be a great time to reach out to your spouse, a friend, a parent, or some type of accountability partner, and ask for their support. share your worry/ or concern and ask if they can offer an alternate perspective from the one you currently have.

6. Work out, it has constantly been proven as a great method to release stress, also stop what you're doing, unplug from distractions, social media, work, etc, and give yourself permission in that very moment, to feel what you need to feel, don't avoid it as if it doesn't exist.