“Worry is mental distress primarily over a negative possibility in the future. It is a state of mind, a way of thinking, a mental habit” (Hunt, 10). “About nineteen million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders, but far more suffer from mild anxiety that has not yet developed to the disorder state. Experiencing severe or continual anxiety isn’t necessarily pathological-meaning that a person has an emotional or mental disturbance. In many of these people, worry has simply become a mental habit. They automatically tend to see events in their lives in terms of worst-case scenarios” (Colbert, 108). The Psalmist wrote, “My thoughts trouble me, and I am distraught” (Ps 55:2). In Matthew 6:26-30, Jesus uses logic in Creation to combat worry. He challenges our worry against our lack of control over life. What makes us worry when we are witnesses of God’s provision in Creation? Did He not create the birds of the air to find food and feed themselves? Did he not clothe the beautiful lilies of the field? These provisions only come from God, the Creator of the Universe. He is the only one who can sustain our lives. We are subjected to Him in all things, whether we like it or not. The simple explanation for our worry is that we are imperfect people trying to regain a perfect connection with the perfect God, who created us in His image. God’s word tells us that His Son is the only answer to this connection. Yet, our mindsets are difficult to break because of pride; therefore, we get stuck clinging to what only He can change. We worry about our kid’s struggles, young or old, a broken marriage, terminal illness, finances, church dysfunction, grief, family quarrels, traumatic events, etc. The mind tends to rehearse events beyond our control, making us believe that we will eventually conquer our circumstances. By practice, if not careful, worry can subtly draw us into dysfunction, leading to death.
Adam and Eve disgraced God by disregarding and second guessing His voice, and worry filled their lives. Some people worry because it is easier to worry than to seek help or break the mental habit by walking through the process with God’s truth. Some worry because they have lost control over the cycle that they have conditioned themselves to by rehearsing bothersome events. If general worry is habit-forming, we have the ability to recondition our minds to trust God's providence over our lives. He gives choice in all matters of life. However, there are times when He allows us to continue to lean to our own understanding, until we are broken. On another note, Scripture specifies seasons of change and a time for healing to take place in the hearts of broken people. God is gracious. Understanding our imperfections, He allows humanity time to walk through the process of naturally occurring events. In the journey, if we open our hearts to Him, we learn He can be trusted even when life seems bleak. We also have the choice to simply cut the process by completely relying on Him, as the birds of the air does and the lilies of the field. Nothing is easy. Any habit requires work. Jesus says, come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matt 28:11-30).”
Below are several tips to turn your worry into peace:
Be Proactive! Confront your worry… don’t let it fester.
Pray!
Embrace vulnerability.
Journal.
Seek support through counseling, life coaching, small group, etc.
Capture Your Thoughts!
Meditate: On what is true, lovely, of good report, excellence, and what is
praiseworthy (Phil 4:6-8).
Memorize: Scripture brings life to all who will receive it.
Read:
Scriptures on Worry/Anxiety
Articles on how others have overcome worry
Books on worry such as: “Worry,” by June Hunt or “Deadly Emotions," by Dr. Don Colbert.
If you feel stuck in your worry, contact me! Otherwise, be of good cheer!
Dr. Don Colbert, Deadly Emotions (Nashville, TN: Emanate Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, 2003).
June Hunt, Worry (Peabody, MA: Aspire Press, an imprint of Hendrickson Publishing Group, 2021).