Faith: Do Not Worry

Does anxiety lead to worry or does worry lead to anxiety?  Whatever way, the two things go hand in hand. Worrying makes us anxious and being anxious makes we worry.

It is hard not to worry about things – finances, work etc. However as a Christian the Bible tells me not to worry, but it is difficult not to worry especially when you suffer from anxiety. It is like a vicious circle.

Worry can change the way you think and can make you fear the worst in every situation, however small.  This can make you worry even more. Like I said, it is a vicious circle.

The key in trying to overcome this vicious circle is to challenge the way you are thinking.  This sounds easy but it can actually be quite difficult. However, when it does work it is good as it will help break the vicious cycle of anxious thoughts that increases the worry.

I try to change the way I am thinking but sometimes it is difficult to do.  When these times happens, I do or try to do one of three things?

1.  Pick up the phone to talk to someone which helps take my mind off myself
2. Watch something funny  - laughing is good for the soul
3.  Read the Bible and pray – turning the focus away from me and onto God – taking my worry and anxiety to him. 

Sometimes I need to do all three, but also sometimes I just let the thoughts take control and I cry. Crying can be good – gets things out of your system, but it hurts the head and stings the eyes, and can leave you feeling worse.

We need to challenge these negative thoughts and replace them with what we know is true e.g I am just not good enough  - needs to be changed to, it doesn't matter if we are good enough, we are loved and not only by our friends and family, but also by God.

The great thing about being a Christian is that God loves us for who we are – imperfect people.

Below are those verses from the Bible which tells us not to worry.  They can be found in Matthew 6 v 25-34

25 “I tell you this: Do not worry about your life. Do not worry about what you are going to eat and drink. Do not worry about what you are going to wear. Is not life more important than food? Is not the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds in the sky. They do not plant seeds. They do not gather grain. They do not put grain into a building to keep. Yet your Father in heaven feeds them! Are you not more important than the birds? 27 Which of you can make himself a little taller by worrying? 28 Why should you worry about clothes? Think how the flowers grow. They do not work or make cloth. 29 But I tell you that Solomon in all his greatness was not dressed as well as one of these flowers. 30 God clothes the grass of the field. It lives today and is burned in the stove tomorrow. How much more will He give you clothes? You have so little faith! 31 Do not worry. Do not keep saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘What will we wear?’ 32 The people who do not know God are looking for all these things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all these things. 33 First of all, look for the holy nation of God. Be right with Him. All these other things will be given to you also. 34 Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will have its own worries. The troubles we have in a day are enough for one day”

We need to take one day at a time, and if needs be, take one second at a time, it’s all we can do.