What worries you the most nowadays? Is it getting sick from Covid, the economy, politics, national affairs, employment, or your children? Whatever situation it may be, the result is the same. Worry affects both our mental and emotional wellbeing. Our minds get stuck in worry, much like a car gets stuck in the ditch alongside the road. The more we focus on the problem, the deeper we become entrenched until we finally give up. That is when anxiety and depression often set in. A June 2020 CDC report surveyed adults across the U.S. and found that 31% reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, 13% reported increased substance use, 26% reported stress-related symptoms, and 11% reported having serious thoughts of suicide. These numbers are nearly double the rates we saw before Covid.
So, how do we get out of the ditch? Are we supposed to just smile and act like none of these things are happening? No, that won’t work because these things should concern us. The problem comes when these concerns take over our thoughts and emotions. I know personally how real this struggle is with worry. As a young teenager, I would often be overwhelmed with a deep sense of worry and anxiety. Yet, it was during that time that I began reading the book of Matthew in my Bible. When I got to Matthew 6:25-34, I knew God was speaking to my anxious soul. It is here that Jesus tells us that our Father in heaven, who cares daily for the birds and the flowers, will surely care for our daily needs as well. Over the years, I have read Matthew chapter six many times when feeling worried or anxious. In addition, I often read Philippians 4:4-9; Proverbs 3:5-6; and Psalm 37. These are my AAA road assistance verses that I call upon to help get my mind and emotions out of the ditch of worry.
Are you currently stuck in the ditch of worry and anxiety? Need some roadside assistance? Let me encourage you to read Psalm 37 three times. The first time you read, write everything it tells you NOT to do (Example: verse 1 tells us: Do not fret or be envious of people who do wrong things). The second time you read, write everything it tells you TO DO (Example: verse 3 tells us: To trust in the Lord and do good). The third and last time you read, write all God’s promises for those who do 1 & 2 (Example: verse 4 tells us: God will give us the desires of our hearts). Finally, take your three lists and put them somewhere you will see them and as you read these daily, you too will be able to leave worry behind.
Check out our podcast, Walk away from worry with Kandi Anderson Farris and Ron Meyers https://www.buzzsprout.com/970741/episodes/9328958
