9 out of 10 people worry about something or someone on a daily basis. Sadly, I am among those 9. Some of us are just overthinkers and “over-planners”, it’s not like we were beaten by some kind of ‘worry bug’ or something like that, it’s just in our human nature to worry about the thinnest of issues. It’s either we’re worrying about an assignment that’s due next month, an interview to attend, an exam to write, bills to pay, rumors of wars, the current pandemic, or people’s opinions. It’s not like worrying helps change anything but then, we just can’t help but worry. So why do we worry and how can we stop?
WHY DO WE WORRY?
Dictionary.com defines worrying as tormenting oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts, fret.
Whenever we are faced with situations that we cannot control or when things don’t go as per plan we tend to worry. I guess it’s a human thing! However, we as Christians are urged not to give in to worry. The reason being that we have a God who makes the impossible possible.He is in control of all things and he has our best interest at heart, so why worry?
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:25-26-NIV)
EFFECTS OF WORRYING
- Worrying will steal your joy
- It will drain your energy and suck out all your emotional strength (Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.Proverbs 12:25)
- It can affect your health (eg)feelings of restlessness, headaches, sleepless night, etc
- Worrying can affect your performance at school/work because your mind is already occupied with negative thoughts.
- It can result in anxiety
HOW TO STOP WORRYING(Five simple tips)
- Realize that worrying doesn’t fix things: worrying doesn’t solve problems, if that were the case a lot of us won’t have issues to handle. What worrying does is exaggerate the problem making it look big and impossible to solve. I discovered that the time spent worrying can actually be used to solve the problem at hand.
2. Pen it down: pick a day and write down those things or situations that make you worry and take it to God in prayer.
3. Pray about it:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6)
bring those things you have written down before God in the place of prayer. Tell him about all your fears and worry. Your daddy knows that you need food, he knows your rent is due, he knows you are yet to pay your fees, etc. all he is asking of you is to seek him and serve him with all your heart and he will handle the rest.
Matthew 6:30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
4. Talk about it: sometimes all we need is a listening ear. Talk to someone you trust and feel close to. It could be your biological parents, spiritual parents(ie your pastor, church leader, etc), a friend, a sister, etc. once you open up and talk about what’s eating you up inside, they might have the answers you are looking for. If not, they might know someone who knows someone who knows someone😀 that might be of help. After all, no man is an island.
5. Chillax:
Just calm down and relax. After praying and asking God to help, have faith and chillax. Enjoy the peace he has given you and worry no more(Philippians 4:7, John 14:27). As you chillax don’t forget to ponder and reflect on the goodness of God and count your blessings. This will prevent those worrying thoughts from creeping in.
I know it won’t be easy to just wake up one morning and stop worrying but, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the intentional decision, you can do it. I encourage you to start applying these tips daily and I pray the Holy Spirit breaths into any situation that’s making you worry. I hope these tips were helpful and if yes please don’t hesitate to share.
God bless you.
Wow!!, great job.
More wisdom and divine skills.
AMEN!