Untangling the Web of Worry and Fear

The roads are icy and the snow falls steadily. As I make my long commute to work in these difficult conditions, I am tense and worried. In my mind myriads of different scenarios play out – none of them good. Winter driving brings out my worst fears.

I am not sure when the fearful mindset began, but I know it gains momentum with these kinds of stressful times. Often, I long for the carefree days of childhood where anxiousness seemed unreachable. Now, worry frequently is my close companion, even when I know it shouldn’t be.

Worrisome thoughts tangle our brains, sending off messages that we need to be overly concerned about what will or might happen in the future. The web of fearfulness entraps our being and convolutes our thinking.

God wants us to lay all those anxious thoughts at the foot of the Cross. So why does worry take control of our lives instead? Why is it often difficult to trust God and His promises in times of challenge and adversity?

There are many instances in Scripture where God reminds us that He’s got this. One example is in Proverbs:

“Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.” (Proverbs 3:25-26 NIV)

God firmly says that we need not fear the unexpected things, both physical and emotional. The promise that the Lord is our confidence is one we need to hold onto when concerns of this world threaten to overtake us.

With this confidence in God’s providence to back us up, we can change our thought patterns – shifting our focus from our own problems and what triggers them, to Christ who holds the answers to all our needs.

Another way to untangle the mess that worry wreaks in our brains is to praise. Fear and praise do not coexist. When I am doing some white knuckled driving on a winter day, it helps me to praise God for what He has done for me rather than focusing on the fear at hand. I can feel myself come down and breathe as I list how mighty our God is and remember how He has positively worked in my life in the past and is blessing me now.

Worry is a tough one to eradicate as it so easily creeps into multiple parts of our lives. It helps to remember we have evidence in Scripture of our faithful God who will pick us up, hold us in His loving arms, and lead us through the challenging waters of this life. We have the assurance that our loving Heavenly Father helps us collect the pieces when parts of our lives are shattered and concerns overwhelm.

Take heart, and lean on the One who carries all our anxieties and troubles. He is faithful.

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