What, Me Worry?

Worry is giving way to anxiety or unease and allowing your mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.

by Mike Corthell

Worry? We all do it, but why? Is it the defense mechanism that prepares us to deal with possible difficulties? Perhaps. So maybe a little worry is good but excessive worry causes more problems than it guards against? Sounds reasonable doesn't it? Let dig into it.

''God is the boss. He doesn't need me looking over his shoulder to second guess things. With Him in charge, all will be well. So what is there to worry about?''

Worrying can be helpful when it makes us take action and problem solve we know that. But if you’re doing the “what if” thing and thinking about worst-case scenarios, it is a big, big problem. Non-stop doubts and fears are unhealthy.

Let's take action, let's think.

Remember that most of the things we worry about never happen. If about all the times you sat and fretted about something, you'll realize that this is true. When you start to worry, ask yourself, ''What is the worst that can happen.'' Then say to yourself, ''What is the possibility of this happening.''

“When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.”
— Winston Churchill

Don't get lost in vague thoughts of some disaster happening. When worries are nondescript and vague, when you lack clarity then it is very easy to get lost in exaggeration. So find some clarity.

Try not to mind read. Trying to read someone’s mind is inaccurate at best. It leads to creating an exaggerated and even disastrous scene playing over and over in your mind.

Just say, ''STOP'' Lying in bed at night, trying to fall asleep is often the time we start to worry. When that happens, just stop and think about what you're doing. Can you take action while you sleep? I didn't think so. Night night!

Don't care about what other people think about you. People don't think about you as much as you think they do. They worry about themselves.

''Don't sweat it!'' Except when you work-out. Exercise releases stress and worry. Do it regularly and don't forget to eat right. Feed your machine good stuff!

Don't keep it to yourself. Talk about your concerns. It's possible that two heads are better than one and that two backs better carry the weight?

Slow down and disengage. Step back and see the worrying situation for what it really is. The focus on the small steps you can take to move forward and out of that cloud of discontent and worry.

Above all else be positive. God's got your back...ALWAYS.

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