Posted on 12/01/2014 10:11:43 PM PST by Salvation
“Let not your hearts be troubled.” (John 14:1)
Easy for Him to say, right? If you’re someone who has a tendency to worry, even the words of Jesus aren’t enough to allow you to remain calm in the midst of a crisis. Is it really possible for those of us who are habitual worriers to “let not our hearts be troubled”? After years of torturing myself, I’ve discovered that not only is it possible, but by following 5 simple steps, you can experience peace in your life TODAY!
Oh sure, I know what you’re thinking…I’m probably someone who never worried a day in my life. It’s easy for me to talk about being peaceful because I’m one of those people who breezes through life without a care in the world. WRONG! I can assure you that I have a plaque in the Worrier’s Hall of Fame. There’s a reason that I’m the author of A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible! Throughout my life, I have a history of worrying about things that are happening, things that could happen and things that have the possibility of happening if the things that I’m worrying about happening do actually happen. In other words, I can worry with the best of them IF I let myself. However, I no longer let myself worry (well, maybe for a minute or two ) The first step to breaking the worrying habit involves some behavior modification. The minute you find yourself firing up the “worrying engine”, try the following steps and see what happens. Incidentally, to give my advice a little more credibility, I’ve included some supporting comments from a well-known figure, who knows a little more about this subject than I do!
1. Focus On Today – One of the big mistakes that “professional” worriers make is looking too far into the future. When my father was diagnosed with cancer several years ago, I made a decision to enjoy each of our remaining days together and not focus on the future. Even though he died suddenly one month later, we had a peaceful and memorable experience during those thirty days. When my wife and I were told that our now 14 year old twins, Mary and Elizabeth, would probably not be born alive, we learned to thank God for each day that they survived. We didn’t dwell on the uncertainty of the future. As a result, we experienced peace in the midst of a traumatic situation.
Jesus’ Advice: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” (Matthew 6:34)
2. Don’t Worry About “What If’s” – What if my husband gets sick and we can’t afford our mortgage and then we’ll have to sell our house which will be impossible because of the real estate market, etc. Although this scenario can create much anxiety, it is a completely imaginary situation. None of these events have taken place, but yet we often worry about what will happen IF they occur. The reason that these problems seem so insurmountable is because God doesn’t give us the grace to deal with imaginary problems. You can be sure that if any of these problems did exist in your life, the Lord would provide you with all the grace needed to cope with the situation.
Jesus’ Advice: “And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:27)
3. Pray – Despite our claims to the contrary, worrying involves making a conscious decision. We have to decide that we’re going to worry. Although this decision can be almost involuntary, we still have the ability to choose to NOT worry. One of the easiest ways to stop worrying is to choose something else in it’s place. Whenever you feel the desire to worry, why not choose to pray instead? Unlike worrying (which is useless), prayer is ALWAYS effective. Even though all of your problems may not disappear, you will always receive the grace needed to deal with them. As a result, you will be able to experience the Lord’s peace while you are carrying your cross. If you’re struggling, ask the Lord for help!
Jesus’ Advice: “Ask and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10)
4. Let Jesus Speak To You Through Scripture – One of the biggest mistakes that we can make is to treat the Bible as an ordinary book. Although it may look like a book, it is so much more. When we open up the pages of Sacred Scripture, we can actually hear Jesus speaking directly to us. All of us, no matter what we are going though, have the ability to open up the Bible. DO IT! Jesus will take care of the rest!
Jesus’ Advice: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
5. Keep Your Eye On the Prize – No matter how much you are suffering and how many difficulties you are facing in your life, they will one day pass. Although it may not seem like it, all of our problems will one day come to an end once we depart from this life. Saint Paul assures us that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). The next life will not only be better, it’s “not even worth comparing”! When you don’t think you can make it through another day, let this be your focus.
Jesus’ Advice: “So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” (John 16:22)
I’ve never met a single person who enjoyed being anxious. We all strive for peace in our lives, but often fall victim to excessive worry. I guarantee that if you try these steps today, you will instantly feel some degree of peace in your life. If you keep repeating them each day, that peace will grow stronger. In the meantime, I’ll be praying for each of you every day.
A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible (50 Verses To Ease Anxieties) by Gary Zimak (with Foreword by Teresa Tomeo) is now available for preorder here.
Advent Ping!
Make your long term and short term goals.
Work backward from the end point and you will have your daily work plan.
You’ll have weekly goals, quarterly goals and yearly goals but, having goals and working toward them everyday removes the worry.
Over simplified but, for those who get it, they get it.
Excellent advice.
Thank you! My RCIA meets Thursday’s, so last week we did not have class. I miss it! The time there is quite comforting.
And yet the rules of the Catholic Church are set up so that a Catholic never knows if he has enough “points” (I.e. Good behavior exceeds the bad) to get into heaven. That’s the worst kind of worry.
Thank you.
What are you talking about? Most of you posters do not know amything about the Catholic Church. I would suggest learning your own faith before venturing onto a Catholic thread with that kind of childlike statement.
I am putting you on my prayer list. :)
True enough.
Sean Hannity always says: Let not your hearts be troubled. (John 14:1) NOW I know that it's from John. WONDERFUL stuff. But, then it would be since it is from the Bible.
Lol. You tell the yeller. Some folks just "protest too much" taking more comfort in criticizing our faith than being "Christian" in their OWN.
Odd, isn't it?
People who are CONFIDENT in their own faith have NO NEED to criticize others, do they?
It’s not a worry if one avails himself/herself of the Sacraments frequently. (Reconciliation, Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick when ill, etc.)
**People who are CONFIDENT in their own faith have NO NEED to criticize others, do they? **
BTTT and then to high heaven!
Sometimes I just get the giggles over the “attacks”.
Speaking of recnciliation. Funny story. My priest in my old parish. I sure do miss him. Anyway. We were having a Pennace service, their were priests from the local area and all. So I went up for my turn. I did my thing and then we got to talking about Free Republic and the many occassions for sin. OMG! We totally forgot that there is a bunch of people all around. Not that anyone could hear us, but when I finally got back to the pew, my nephew looks at me with huge eyes and says “what did you do?” LOL
Be nothing solicitous; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline, think on these things. The things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, these do ye, and the God of peace shall be with you. (Phillipians 4:6-9)
Excellent quote.
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