There is a feeling of anxiety that, to me, makes you feel like you must’ve taken something you shouldn’t have. Like you drank way too much coffee, or you ate something with an ingredient you’re having a reaction to. It’s a level of anxiousness in which you can’t calm your thoughts down. The idea of trying to fall asleep is laughable. The thought of carrying on a real conversation is impossible because you can’t actually focus long enough to really listen. You’re stuck. You’re in a loop. It’s in your head. It FEELS awful!
And so on and so forth. There are so many things that can make you anxious. So the question then becomes, what am I supposed to do about it? The obvious choice is to go see a physician, who will most likely put you on a prescription medication to help ease your anxiousness. And I’m not saying that’s not something you should do. There are lots of different physiological reasons you might be experiencing the sensations you’re having. I’m not a doctor and wouldn’t try and take the place of one.
That said, so many of the anxious feelings that we have can be diminished or even eliminated with a different option. One that doesn’t cost any money and often doesn’t take much time. It’s turning it over to God. I grew up in a stressful environment. Things have never come easy. Worry is something I’ve been used to for as long as I can remember. Partially because of that, I’ve always felt pretty tough, not easily bothered. It wasn’t until I was a mother running a household of 3 children, all alone, that it really got to me in a physical way. I started getting obsessed with the stress that was on my shoulders. I would be trying to make dinner or help a kid with homework and was not fully there. My mind was racing through how to fix whatever situation was bringing me stress, most often financial or relationship. I wasn’t being a great mom. I wasn’t being a great caregiver. I was distracted and stressed out to the max. But like so many other situations, God works in the chaos and mess of life. I’m fortunate that I was raised in a christian home that made God a priority. I know in my head that he’s the one you’re supposed to turn to in all of your grief or hardships. But unless you’re purposely living in his presence every day, listening to or reading his word or studying scripture, it can be so hard to follow. I had started listening to a biblical based podcast and one day the host starting talking about the following Scripture:
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34
That day, that scripture really sank in. Have you ever sat and thought about the sheer amount of time that you’ve probably wasted worrying about something that in that moment there is not a thing you can do about it? Worry does nothing to make your stresses go away. What it can do, according to Prevention, is impact your weight, cause you to indulge in dangerous substances, mess with your sleep, throw off your menstrual cycle or even your fertility, upset your gut or even cause you cold sores. And those are just a few.
So where can you place that energy that you’re using to worry? You can give it to God. Like actually, say here God, please take this from me. If you are a person of Faith, it’s pretty easy to do. I like to close my eyes and picture myself in a room with the Lord. He first usually gives me a big hug, because he knows I’m stressed and he loves and wants me to prosper and not be harmed. I picture myself giving my stress over to him. He takes it and assures me that he’s got me. I know in that moment, that whatever happens, even if it’s not good, he’s good and I’m good in the long run. Our lives here on this earth are fleeting. Why waste what precious time carrying anxiousness that we don’t have to carry?
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
When you hear someone reference the verses, Philippians 4:6-7, they’re literally talking about anything. God knows everything you do, all day, all night, 365. He wants you to come to him with all of the things that make you anxious, no matter how small you think they are. He’s there, whether you decide to build a relationship with him or not. Why not let him be there for you. As you grow closer to God, many of the things that you allow to fill you with worry will become smaller and less important because as you grow that deeper connection you gain an understanding of the things that truly are important.
Don’t get me wrong. This is not something that will happen automatically, at least not at first. You have to be purposeful about giving your worries away. I’m not perfect. You’re not perfect. We never will be. Worry, fear, an occasional sobbing mess does occur. Honestly, the latter can be somewhat cathartic. But in that moment where you find yourself asking, “What am I going to do!!!” I hope you can take a moment to say to yourself, give it away… to the one who can do all things.
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