Worry ain’t my Portion!

Sincere apologies as I have been offline lately dealing with very challenging issues and drowning in self-pity that nearly saw me tearing out my beautifully made hair amongst others things. For the past few weeks, I had been so bogged down with worrying about anything and everything, so much that it was affecting my mood swings and I completely cut off from people.

Within my inner circle, it is known that I am the queen of ‘worrying’. I reckon that I have spent an awful lot of time in my life worrying about first impressions, insecurities (check out an old post: My Skin, My Life!!!), political correctness, marital issues, family pinions, son’s education and health, work and business deadlines, blogging topics, rising household, childcare and travel prices, job/financial security and ever-shrinking budgets, which in turns gets me even more
worried about bills and expenses. And yes, I have been known to have panic or anxiety attacks during this period but not to the point of really losing sleep or developing an ulcer, a headache, or high blood pressure. But Worrying is Worrying so it does not matter what level it is on.

Let’s just define what is worry?  ‘Worry’ is thoughts, images, and emotions of a negative nature in a repetitive, uncontrollable manner. As an emotion such as “worry” is experienced from anxiety or concern about a real or imagined issue, often personal issues such as health or finances, or external broader issues such as environmental pollution, social structure or technological change. It’s a natural response to anticipated future problems.

Psychologists have often claimed that women are more likely than men to develop anxiety disorders, a fact which is attributed to a range of biological, psychological, and cultural factors. This predisposition inclines women to worry more than men about things like social problems, work, finances-even about
worry itself, which they have termed ‘meta-worry’.

Worry affects us mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and strangles our peace of mind and enjoyment of life. There seems to be a direct connection between fear and worry and sometimes they may be interchangeable.

Over the span of my lifetime, I can say that worrying has accounted for hours and hours of invaluable time that I’ll never get back. During one of my choir team fellowship session with a friend, it was highlighted to me that when I worry, it means that I do not trust God to do His job which is being the solver of all problems, challenges or whatever we want to call it. So, going-forward, I have decided that I would like to spend trusting The Father and leaning on Him for all and learn to spend my time more wisely and more enjoyable.

Well, like the previous worrisome Yvonne, if you’re not convinced yet to give up your worrying, here are four biblical reasons not to worry and just focus on the goals ahead:

Worrying Accomplishes Absolutely Nothing.

• I don’t know about you, but I don’t have any time to waste these days. And worrying is a waste of very precious time. Worrying won’t help you solve a problem or bring about a solution, so why waste your time and energy on it?
  • Matthew 6:27-29: Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. (NLT)

Worrying is Not Good for You.

• Worrying is destructive to us in many ways. It becomes a mental burden that can even cause us to grow physically sick.
  • Proverbs 12:25: Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. (NLT)

Worrying is the Opposite of Trusting God.

• The energy that we spend worrying can be put to much better use in prayer. Here’s a little formula to remember: Worry replaced by Prayer equals Trust.
  • Matthew 6:30: And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? (NLT)
  • Philippians 4:6-7: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)

Worrying Puts Your Focus in the Wrong Direction.

• When we keep our eyes focused on God, we remember his love for us and we realize we truly have nothing to worry about. God has a wonderful plan for our lives, and part of that plan includes taking care of us. Even in the difficult times, when it seems like God doesn’t care, we can put our trust in the Lord and focus on his kingdom. God will take care of our every need.
  • Matthew 6:25: That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? (NLT)
  • Matthew 6:31-33: So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (NLT)
  • 1 Peter 5:7: Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (NLT)

Listen, it is human to worry, to fret, to fear something in the future but I have learnt during this season that one cannot let that over-shadow their life. Every problem or fear has a solution, as long as we remain positive, so Worry Not.

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Yours in love – The Renaissance Lady © 

The Renaissance Lady

As a Mompreneur & Lifestyle Blogger, I am constantly on the goal of being ready for the NEW re-birthing and renewing of Oneself as I believe we all have a purpose to fulfil on this earth and part of my mission is for us all to live a Purpose-Driven Life.

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