Worried? You CAN Calm Yourself!

We are living in scary times. Accusations, threats, and dire predictions assault our ears, eyes, minds, and hearts on a daily basis. We know this isn’t a healthy way to live—spiritually, mentally, or physically. The resulting stress negatively impacts every part of our lives. 

It’s claimed that the Bible states “Do not fear” 365 times—that’s one “Do not fear” for each and every day! 

Gifted, (or maybe not), with an active imagination, I need to remind myself of this frequently. Why is it important? How is it possible?
 

• WHY IS RECOGNISING AND REJECTING OUR FEAR IMPORTANT?

Jesus referred to worry five times in just nine verses: Matthew 6:25-34. He repeated what seems an impossible command in our current climate. He said:

• Do not worry,
• Don’t be anxious,
• Don’t act like people who are alone in the universe without a God who is real to them.

 

• WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TODAY AND IN THE MONTHS TO COME?

• Is Jesus telling us not to think ahead?
• Not to plan for the future?
• Not to make prudent decisions for our health, home, retirement, or family issues?
• Do His words contradict so many verses that commend thinking carefully about our lives? Of course not. 

Prudent thinking is not the same as Persistent worry.

• Jesus is speaking against habitual worry.
• Against being stuck in the kind of mental trap where you get more and more fearful about a situation, whether it’s happened or not. 
• It is reacting with growing anxiety to a situation and allowing yourself to be consumed by it.

Do you recognize yourself?
 

• JESUS GIVES 2 SOLID REASONS WHY WE SHOULDN’T WORRY

1. Remember: You have a heavenly Father who loves, values, and will give you: wisdom, comfort, guidance, courage, greater faith and trust, confidence and peace.
2. Worry can never change a situation or your circumstances, but it does have the power to negatively impact you! Worry not only robs you of peace, it can also totally skew your perspective of God, become a source of illness, depression, panic attacks, and lead to other physical and emotional problems. Little wonder Jesus said, “Do not worry”!

 

• TO OVERCOME THE WORRY HABIT, YOU HAVE TO TAKE ACTION!

Worry won’t fly away just through wishful thinking! You have to grab hold of what you’re thinking, take time to pray for the Holy Spirit to show you what’s worrying you, and ask yourself some specific questions:

• What am I worried about? Name it clearly.
• Is worrying helping or making me more tense and upset?
• How do I know if my worries will come true?
• Where is my focus—on God’s promised help or my helplessness?

Here are three additional helps to get a grip on your fears:

1. Realize you scare yourself by what you focus on—so flip your thinking to God!
2. Recognize that rehearsing your fears only INCREASES their grip on your mind.
3. Refuse to be a victim of your imagination and emotions. Think facts and truth!
4. Memorize Scriptures that will strengthen your trust in the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31 promises “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” Will you honor God by putting your trust and faith in Him today? That’s what I’m choosing to do. I am also doing the following:

• I’m avoiding news programs
• Filling my mind with what calms me lifts my mood—music, books, resources that makes me laugh, Scripture
• Finding places of silence and solitude that are calming
• Deleting FB posts that trigger negative emotions. 

I’m praying we all experience God’s presence in tangible, calming ways as we focus on His care and love in the days ahead.
 
Love to you,
Poppy

For more help, download my E-book: Overcoming Worry and Fear.