WHEN WORRY TAKES OVER YOUR LIFE

Close your eyes for a moment and consider this. 

How many times throughout the day do you start to worry over something?

How does it make you feel? Exhausted? Sick? Ready to hop in bed, pull the covers over your head and not wake up until it’s over?

Now I’d like you to consider this…..has your worry ever changed the outcome….ever?

Let’s face it. On this earth, there’s hardly a day that goes by that we don’t find something to worry about. And man, oh man, the state of the world right now has us all ready to cry “uncle.” (I won’t open that can of worms!)

Today I’m going to help you in your journey of finding freedom from worry. I want to help you let go of the stress and start enjoying this life God created you for.

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It’s hard not to worry. It’s tough trying to get through the day not thinking about the many things that breathe down our neck, vying for our constant attention.

Maybe it’s something with the kids, finances, marriage, an elderly parent, work…the list of stuff we tend to worry about can be endless.

I had been a worrier my entire life. I can even remember worrying as a teenager. Silly things, things that truly didn’t matter in the big scheme of life.

It wasn’t until I began a relationship with God that I started to notice a change happening within me. I realized I wasn’t worrying as much as I used to. I found myself actually brushing things off and saying to myself, “It’s yours, God. Not mine.”

When this change began, my circumstances hadn’t changed. In fact, they’d gotten worse.

You see, I was face down in the mud of the valley floor. Right in the midst of a chronic illness struggle that had completely taken over my life.

And having a chronic illness that takes you out of work for days (and sometimes, weeks) makes it extremely difficult to pay the bills, buy groceries, and pay for the very gas needed to get to work each day.

What changed

So how did I stop worrying so much when everything seemed to be falling apart around me? When I was living my life around migraines, affecting not just me, but everyone around me?

I found a relationship with God. I started spending time with my devotional every day, talking to Him throughout the day, and asking for His guidance in my life.

I learned to put my complete trust in Him and it has taught me that He is in control, not me. I no longer worry about things I can’t control.

God tells us, 

Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NLT

There’s so much freedom in knowing that you don’t have to worry about everything, that He’ll take care of you, and you’re free to enjoy all that He has created for you!

The simple truth

Cold, hard fact, my friend! You aren’t in control!

You can fight it all you want, but it’s only going to make you miserable and worrying over it is certainly not going to have any bearing on the outcome.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 NLT

It’s time to take a deep breath and give it to God!

Living your life in constant fear and worry is absolutely no way to live. It’s exhausting and completely sucks the joy out of life. One of my favorite quotes that I reflect on often is

Fear paralyzes, but faith empowers! (Unknown)

Finding Freedom from Worry

So just how do you start the journey of learning to put your trust in God? In learning to stop worrying over things you can’t control?

This isn’t an easy road. It’s something you’re going to have to work on. Something you’ll need to practice all day, every day.

• Grant yourself grace.

God understands we live in a fallen world and knows that we aren’t perfect. So grant yourself grace.

• Every time you begin to worry, stop yourself and whisper, “Jesus.” Even if you have to do it 100 times a day, just do it.

It takes practice. It’s not something that’s going to change overnight, next week, or probably even next month. However, the more you do this, the more you’ll begin to feel that weight lifted.

Just breathing Him in starts to bring a peace over you like nothing else can.

God knows this isn’t easy for us, but this is what He calls us to do…..to trust in Him and His Will for our lives.

• Start your day with a daily devotional. (My favorites are Jesus Calling, Jesus Always, and 180 Days of Beautiful Truth. You can find them all here.)

When you spend time first thing in the morning with Jesus, it grounds you and sets you up for a smoother day, showing you that He’s got you. That He created this day just for you.

Starting your day with the truth, love, and encouragement of The Word truly helps you take on the stresses of the day. It helps you to see what’s really important in life and what’s not so important. (And believe me, most of what we stress over is truly not important!)

If you absolutely can’t find the time in the morning, try turning on a podcast on your way to work. (My favorite is The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey.)

• Start a prayer journal.

If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know how important I believe a prayer journal is. (If you haven’t already, be sure to read, What I’ve Learned From My Prayer Journal and How to Choose the Best Prayer Journal.)

Most of us learn best by writing things down. So grab a notebook and just start writing. (Or you can find some of my favorite journals here.)

1. Write down what resonated most for you from the day’s devotion.
2. Write down scripture that resonates most with you.
3. Write down your prayers.

I’m telling you, my friend, when you start a prayer journal, it’s going to completely change your relationship with Him.

• Start your prayers by thanking God

When you begin to worry, stop and thank Him. You’ll see how quickly your perspective changes when you begin thanking Him for all the blessings He’s given you and stop focusing on all your trials.

Stop focusing on how stressed you are and remember how blessed you are.

Thank Him for never leaving you. For already going before you and equipping you with what you need to handle today’s challenges. For the good that you know will come from this challenge and that because of this challenge, you’re growing into the person He created you to be.

The enemy means all of these trials for evil, but God will use them for something beautiful.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good…. Genesis 50:20 Beyond Suffering Bible NLT

Wrapping Up

God didn’t create you to live your life worrying, and no amount of worry is going to change the outcome! 

So start this journey right now. Go to Him and let Him know you no longer want control and that you need Him to help you. He’ll show up, my friend! Every! Single! Time!

Until next time, my friend…….

P.S. While you’re here, be sure to check out my 30-day devotional, Finding Peace in the Mess. Simply click here to get all the details and your instant download so you can get started today!

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