Address Worry Before Anxiety Takes Hold
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)
When Corrie ten Boom advises on worry, we all should listen closely. Corrie was a Dutch girl whose Christian parents hid Jews fleeing the Nazis during World War II. As a woman in her 40s, she was sent to a Concentration Camp and survived after terrible suffering. Corrie declares, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength-carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” Without intentional focus, worry takes control and controls us. We are called to take back our emotions and thoughts.
In “The Simple Secret to Freeing Yourself From Worry,” therapist Karen Nimmo provides insight into worry because it is something we all experience. Nimmo assists our struggle by teaching us the difference between worry and anxiety. According to Nimmo, “Worry is said to be short term, and leads you to use problem-solving skills to address it. Anxiety is seen as a more persistent condition, even when concerns are unrealistic.” From Nimmo’s perspective, worry is often a blessing in disguise. We need to address anxiety because it creates long-term negative consequences. Anxiety does not get the upper hand when we learn to face our worries with courage and intellect.
Nimmo asks us to stop living in the past and the future and instead follow this recommendation, “The only foolproof way is to haul your butt-your whole self actually-kicking and screaming into the present.” We humans are good at reflecting on the past and envisioning the future. The key is to take control of the reflecting and envisioning and instead focus on the present so worry doesn’t become chronic anxiety. A spiritually and emotionally strong person doesn’t focus on a worry-free life but one that faces worry with confidence and clarity.
Today, think of examples of your own life when you felt worry. Then, consider times in your life when anxiety ruled the day. What was distinctive about your worry, and how was it different from longer times of anxiety? God guided the Biblical figures through their moments of suffering and worry. It was when worry turned to anxiety that God challenged their resolve. God didn’t shame their anxiety but instead called the faithful to address their worry with determination before it took control. Giving ourselves over to anxious fear is almost a form of idolatry because it gives more power to something other than God. Pray today for the courage and determination to face our worries and not let anxiety win the day. If Corrie ten Boom could successfully meet Concentration Camp level worry without letting anxiety consume her, we can also trust God to guide us safely through our challenging lives.