There is so much to fret over. Decisions we have to make, decisions we want to make, situation after situation that could go several different directions, and we’re afraid of the worst. Fear is an invitation to trust.
The stresses we face are incomprehensibly small compared to who God is. Think about that. If the swell within you is pushing the seems of your mind, how much more powerful is God? If our finite hearts can’t seem to get a handle on things, how much more in control is our infinite God?
We must trust our all-powerful, ever-caring, dependable Father with everything that’s on our minds. We simply weren’t made to do it alone. We need a Savior who paid the price we never could, we need friends to point us back to truth, and we need to help ourselves rest in the security we take for granted. How?
#1 — Remember
I keep finding myself spiraling down into the world of “what ifs,” slipping into the insanity of perpetually repeating truths to myself— and I just laugh. What am I doing? I have nothing to be afraid of!
Do I not remember the countless times God has come through for me before? Every assignment throughout my education, relationships He discontinued for (as I later saw) the best. I don’t need to worry about how things will turn out because God is directing my path.
Practical step: Start a “that was God” journal and record everything that has His fingerprints all over it. Everything from the end of a hard season to abandoned Chick-fil-A sauce for what was going to be a bland meal. The monumental and the trivial. He cares about it all and the growing list will help you see that.
#2 — Talk to God
The Christian-nese word is “pray,” but I challenge you to view the familiar concept differently. Talk to God, literally. Open your mouth and use words. Have a conversation with Him like you would with a dear friend.
If you’re in the car or an empty room, talk to Him as if He were a person who was actually there (because He kind of is). Tell Him about your day, your hopes, your dreams, your fears. Tell Him what’s on your heart and the little things you’re grateful for.
The physical act of slowing down to talk verbally will naturally provide some kind of comfort and ease. It’s a reminder that you are not alone, that you can talk because there is Someone who is listening.
#3 — Go outside
The world was made from an overabundance of delight. Like how a couple wants to share their love with children of their own, God made the world so the overabundant love of the Trinity could be shared, and creation is still full of this glory.
God repaints the outdoors every day, every season so—as the song “Sun” by Sleeping At Last goes—”that we may fall in love every time we open our eyes.” There is so much to wonder at, an act that is the very antidote to worry and anxiety. So go outside.
Set a reminder to be outside when the setting sun is once again dazzling the sky. Take a pause in the middle of your day to admire the clouds. Look at the grass, the birds, the flowers— all the things that do not try to control their lives, yet God takes care of their needs. And breath.
“God is always seeking you. Every sunset, every clear blue sky, every ocean wave, the starry host of night. He blankets each day with the invitation, ‘I am here.’”
-Louie Giglio
Remove your mind from everything you have to be busy with and focus on all the reasons you have to rest. God’s got this. You must merely glean from the lessons and enjoy the view. He’ll make sure you’re where you need to be when you need to be there. 🙂
You are very gifted. I benefited from several of your podcast. Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad to hear that, thank you!