Chronic Worry

Advice we receive about worry can be confusing. I think most people, if asked about worry directly, would tell you not to worry too much and to enjoy the moments. But then we constantly see in the news and on social media those stories that want to raise awareness about <something> because <something awful> happened to them. Those stories absolutely break my heart, but they also cause me to fall into worry.

“Ten Signs of Depression You Might Not Recognize Until It’s Too Late”

“Dry Drowning: Know the Signs”

“Mom Warns Other Parents After 18-Day-Old Baby Girl Dies”

When I came home from the hospital with a tiny, defenseless baby in my arms, I was completely overwhelmed trying to remember all of the “need to know” tips, warnings, and advice. I was so worried and everything I was reading on the news was affirming that I should be worried because there were a million tiny things that could go wrong.

That burden was heavy. As someone who has always been a chronic worrier, that burden was crushing. Luckily, as believers, we have someone to transfer that burden to.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

I didn’t sleep for weeks after my daughter was born. Every time my eyes would close, I would wonder if she was still breathing. It wasn’t until much later that I realized I had postpartum anxiety. The only thing that helped me finally start sleeping was to repeat Psalm 4:8 to myself every night, when I began to worry: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.”

For anyone who struggles with constant worrying, I encourage you to write down Bible verses about worry on index cards and repeat them out loud every time you begin to feel that anxiety creep in.

I was recently shown an awesome example of why it helps to speak the verses out loud. Try counting to ten in your head and somewhere in the middle, say your name out loud. When you do, what happens? Your counting stops.

When you speak the Word of God out loud, your thoughts will literally stop in their tracks. Your mind will stop to hear what your soul has to say. To worry is to say that you have more faith in the enemy to harm you than you have faith in the Lord to protect you. If anxiety starts to attack you, speak out about where your faith lies.

Below are a few good verses to start with. Take these verses and make them personal. “Thank you, Lord, that you have given me your peace. I will cast my cares upon you and put my trust in you. I will not be anxious, but will trust that your peace will guard my mind and my heart.”

• John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
• Colossians 3:15 – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
• Psalm 55:22 – Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
• Psalm 56:3 – When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
• John 16:33 – I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
• Romans 8:38-39 –  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.