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I am not sure when my asthma symptoms started by 4th grade it was a prominent feature of my life and even resulted in a hospitalization. A little blue inhaler became my security blanket, and I never went anywhere without it. I remember waking up in the middle of the night unable to breathe and reaching for the inhaler under my pillow. My constant companion was the little blue inhaler.
On more than one occasion I was able to induce an asthma attack from worry over not having my inhaler with me. Let that sink in for a moment, I was able to produce a physical reaction in my body from worry that closed my airway and limited my ability to breathe. Worry is unproductive and dangerous, it can cripple us and, in my case, induce an asthma attack that left untreated could be fatal. We do not give worry the credit it deserves as an inhibitor of our potential.
25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?
Luke 12:25 NIV
The answer is none of us, in fact as an asthmatic child through worry I was actively working to shorten my life! For most of us, we survive childhood and the impacts of worry and anxiety do not physically manifest but the damage is real. Worry is an unproductive activity that distracts us from the things that truly matter. Worry and anxiety keep us distracted and when we are distracted, we cannot be at peace. It’s no wonder the Bible has so much to say on the topic of worry and anxiety!
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
I’m a meddler by nature, I want to trust God, but I also want to build contingency plans you know just in case something happens. My “contingency plans” are a product of worry, and my worry is a result of an unwillingness to fully release control to the one who is already in control, God. It sounds crazy when I put it all down on paper, but I know I’m not alone and that is why I write. I know someone can connect to the struggles I face, and I want you to know you are not alone! I also want to share with you the elixir for worry and it shouldn’t be a surprise it’s in the Bible. Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Pray, talk to God about your concerns, triggers, and stressors then trust Him to work on those issues for you. When your brain wanders to worries about tomorrow call out to Jesus, tell Him what is on your mind, share those feelings with the one that can take on all our burdens, and exchange them for peace.
Worry never served me, never made an outcome better, and often it made things exponentially worse. But prayer and a grateful heart have the power to transcend all obstacles! There is nothing He cannot do, so when worry and anxiety sneak into your mind, banish them away with prayer, petition, and thanksgiving. Prayer is the antidote, apply it liberally.
Lord, I want to give thanks to you. Thank you for your grace and patience with me. Help me recognize my worry and anxious thoughts and give them over to you as prayer. Your will Lord, your way, let me step aside so you can lead, and I might follow. There is so much peace to be had when I stop pretending, stop resisting and give it all to you. Jesus, please help me to realign my thoughts when they drift and guard my heart. My savior, my King, my friend, my Jesus. Amen