TO WORRY OR NOT

PRACTICE: Recall the last time you really worried about something. What did the worry fix?

All of us worry – some are better at it than others. Here’s the question. What changes because we ruminate about something we are experiencing or worse yet, possibly will experience? As a verb, worry means to be concerned, get worked up etc. about difficulties and troubles or even joys. Worry as a noun describes a state of being that is characteristic of one’s life. I have an amazing friend who describes herself as a worrier. She says her mother said that she was that way as a child. Her favorite like is, “I just worry that _____ might happen.”

What does worry do to make the situation change?

Worry, the verb, while a useless waste of precious time, is a part of life! If we are honest, we will acknowledge that worry changes nothing about the situation (real or perceived) except loss of energy. Worry is physically and mentally exhausting. Action is the only thing that produces change – movement of some kind. Actions have impact – sometimes positive but if it should happen to be negative, at least you did something. Worry is masterful immobilizer.

Persistent worry as in “I am a worrier” does have the potential for negative impact. Think of the number of times you have heard someone say, “I was too worried to eat or sleep.” And “Yes” people can worry themselves to death. Worry can disrupt sleep hygiene -sleeping too much (escaping the problem) or most likely not able to sleep (racing thoughts). Not sleeping can lead to memory issues, accidents, mood changes and a ton of other health issues. Sleeping too little or too much can lead to weight gain and an increase risk of heart disease. OOPs, that is something to worry about, but one can change the outcome with corrective action.

I am by nature not a worrier, but I do worry from time to time. I find myself able to go to sleep but wake at some ungodly hour and toss and turn. The tossing and turning eventually prompts me to get out of bed and act. One of my latest discoveries has been the effect of meditation on my thought life. I sit and order my thoughts. The medical community recommends meditation as a tool to reduce worry. Meditation helps to ease the highs and lows during stressful situations. I know that it has helped me.Just a suggestion that you might want to try.

Meditation is easy! Step one – Just sit for a few minutes comfortably and quietly…you are on your way.

Psalm 34:4

PONDER THIS THOUGHT- Worry is a verb or a noun in my life.