Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
Introduction
Things in life will go wrong on occasion throwing many of us into a state of despair and overwhelm.
The dysfunction can trigger a spiral of anxiety, worry, and poor mental health.
However, through my growth journey, I’ve come to ask myself one question.
Is the problem truly what it seems?
So, allow me to share a perspective inspired by my faith — one that greatly eased the pressures in my life and brought a sense of freedom I hope you can experience too.
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The Persuasive Nature of Worry
Worry distorts our perception of life causing us to view things through a negative lens.
Have you ever been so worried about something you lost your ability to eat?
Me too.
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When these negative emotions overwhelm us, they affect our ability to function — often to our detriment.
A loss of appetite is just one example; there are many ways in which we can be affected.
Worry creates an illusion of life that doesn’t align with God’s intentions for us.
It gives rise to fear, anxiety, and other destructive emotions that can take hold of our minds and hinder our ability to move forward.
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I want you to think back for a moment to a particularly challenging period in your life.
Do you remember feeling as though there would be no way through it?
The good news is you made it through that experience, you survived, and you’re still here.
Most difficult situations we face in life will eventually come to an end.
For those that don’t, the worry they bring can be greatly eased by shifting our perspective.
So, we must make a habit of asking ourselves one thing — what is the real benefit of worrying?
Because the truth is — there isn’t one.
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Problem After Problem
There was a period when everything in my life seemed to be going wrong — simultaneously.
Bills were insurmountable, I had just gone through a break-up, work had become extremely stressful, and my car had been in an accident.
On top of the mounting pressure, PMDD continued to affect me each month.
Worry weighed heavily on my mind.
“How on earth am I going to make it through this?” I found myself thinking — because at the time, I wasn’t sure I would.
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In Philippians 4:6-7 the Bible states:
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.
As I grew in my relationship with God, I began to embrace how He’d factored in both the joys and challenges of life, which gave me a more optimistic outlook on the problems I encountered.
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God is fully aware that, as humans, we have a tendency to worry.
Scriptures like this exist because He understands our nature and chose to speak to it in advance.
Take comfort in knowing that God knows you deeply enough to provide reassurance long before you need it — He is intentional and His peace will guard your heart and ‘mind’.
For God to highlight the very parts of our being from which our emotions and ability to navigate life stem feels far from coincidental.
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What We Choose to See
Whether we worry or not, the situation will be what it is.
We may not have the influence we want over what’s happening, yet we have full control over how we choose to respond.
I’ve experienced a life driven by worry and anxiety — but I now consciously choose a different path and so should you.
Finding a solution should always be our first approach.
But where there isn’t one, we must accept what is and entrust our burdens to God.
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Worrying about things beyond our control can drive our minds into a debilitating state, offering no comfort and doing nothing to support our wellbeing.
When we allow worry to take hold of our minds, life can become an illusion of detrimental perceptions, diminishing our sense of peace, and ultimately affecting our quality of life.
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I once heard Chris Williamson suggest, in essence, that caring too much can be counterproductive — because in a few generations, everyone alive today will be gone and all will be forgotten.
Take a moment to reflect on that — there’s truth in it.
Our present day is tomorrow’s history.
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We should spend our limited time investing in a life that makes this one opportunity truly worthwhile.
The problems that keep us up at night today won’t be remembered in the years to come, just as we struggle to recall the challenges faced by our ancestors.
It’s always in our best interest to actively pursue peace of mind.
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Jesus Himself demonstrated a peace that transcends all understanding in Mark 4:35-41.
He was asleep as a violent storm raged around the boat He and His disciples were in.
His disciples, in their human nature, were gripped by fear — yet Jesus remained in a complete state of calm.
This kind of peace may not make sense to us and can seem impossible to attain, but our limits are only confined to the boundaries of our own minds.
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When life feels like it’s falling apart, peace can seem out of reach — but remember, with God, all things are possible.
Begin to pray daily, making your requests known to God, because He can offer the peace you seek even at times when it makes no sense.
Scripture teaches that the things of God can seem like foolishness to the human mind.
Rather than trying to understand it all, choose to trust in His word and depend on Him to carry you through every situation.
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Letting go and casting all my cares onto Christ felt insane at the time, and my human ego struggled to accept it.
Despite the limitations of my mind, I chose to rely on faith.
As a result, I stopped living in a state of constant, dysfunctional worry whenever things went wrong.
Colby F. Maier spells it out accurately in this brief video.
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Summary
Today, as I write this, my life ‘on paper’ may not seem to make sense.
Yet emotionally, spiritually, and mentally, it makes complete sense.
Amidst the uncertainty, I’m experiencing the deepest level of peace I’ve ever felt.
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So today I want to share this with you: if something in your life feels deeply unsettling, hand it over to God and free your mind.
If there’s a way to resolve it, take the necessary steps.
But if it’s beyond your control, don’t allow yourself to worry unnecessarily.
As you begin to sit in a state of calm, your perception of your surroundings no matter how dire they appear, remains optimistic, making it easier to manage and respond effectively.
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We don’t always have direct control over our external factors, but God has given us the ability to take control of ourselves, so we can navigate whatever comes our way.
Lean on Him through prayer and time in His word, and eventually, you’ll cultivate a sense of peace — until it becomes your default state of mind.
So worry not.
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Prayer for Peace
Lord Jesus, I place this situation into Your hands. I ask You to take this mental burden and emotional heaviness because You already paid the ultimate price so I could live a life of mental freedom.
I trust in the plan You have for my life, and I choose to align my faith with what Your Word says about me. I know everything I’m going through will turn out for my good and on this basis, I worry not.
I live in a state of perpetual peace and I’m thankful for the resolution You’re bringing to this situation.
Lord, I ask that You guide me through and may I come out refined as gold. I thank You for taking all my cares and worries because You care for me. I ask this today in Your name I pray, Amen.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid John 14:27
