Are you worried...well just do worry about it! That is what most advice winds up being. You know if it was as simple as "Don't Worry" then you could overcome the issue. But for some reason you still worry.
Worry can be time-consuming, almost obsessive, behavior. After all, every day brings new issues to worry about. When we worry about every situation in life it will only drive us to distraction.
Not one problem is ever solved by worrying about it. In fact many problems get worse because worry is immobilizing; thus, no action is being taken to try to work through the dilemma.
Jesus has the perfect solution for worry. Instead of worrying, He invites us to put our faith and trust in God's provision and care. This can free us from the anxiety that is caused by worry.
This total trust does not mean that we should not have goals, plans, investments, and so on. It does mean however, that for everything we should trust in God, putting Him first in our lives.
So here are 6 steps that you can start doing today to achieve this and remove worry from your life.
1. Start Each Day With God
The Daily Office is a great way to do this. It is designed to assist you in putting God first.
2. Pray About Your Worries
During the Daily Office there is a time to give your petitions to God. This gives you permission to place all of your cares upon Him.
3. Keep A Journal
Write down prayer request and watch God work in your life.
4. Set Boundaries
Get facts and expert advice to prevent worrying unrealistically about a situation. Set deadlines to make decisions, rather than ruminating forever. Realize that you will not please everyone all of the time.Learn to say no.
5. Think Differently
Delegate chores and other responsibilities. Give yourself permission to relax and make mistakes. Eat, sleep, and exercise properly. Look for the humor in every situation. Declutter and organize, using calendars and to-do lists.
6. Seek Balance
The goal is to walk in peace, in calm, in trust, and in assurance. This is done by finding the balance between prayer and action and , ultimately, this produces freedom from worry.
In the comments feel free to give me other ways that you have learned to remove worry from your life. Maybe some of your ideas can help others.
Blessings,
Fr. John