From Anxiety to Peace ናሙና

Over the years as I evaluate different things that I get anxious or stressed out about, there is one common thread in my response to them — a desire to be in control. It's as if playing out potential negative outcomes or imagining unsuccessful work projects puts me in the driver's seat. Nothing is going to happen without me being forewarned and prepared to face it. 

The problem, however, is that trust and control do not coexist. You can have control or you can have trust, but you can’t have both. This presents a challenge considering that throughout scripture, God's instruction to us is to trust Him. In fact, we often see that God's guidance does not include the final picture nor are all the details known. 

Scripture tells us that God desires our trust and dependence on Him along the way. Abraham was instructed to leave his country but not given a specific destination ahead of time. The people of God were told to step into the raging river prior to God parting the waters. Mary and Martha were challenged to trust when Jesus instructed the stone be removed from their dead brother’s tomb. 

Evaluate your heart and motives today. How much of your stressing and worrying is an attempt to be in control? Make an attempt today to put your trust in Him again. Here are a couple of tips:

• Acknowledge your struggle to Him and declare that you want to trust Him. 
• Stop negative thoughts within 30 seconds of them entering your mind and replace them with healthy thoughts.

Many scientists believe that we can create new neural pathways by changing our thoughts because it changes negative thought patterns. The apostle Paul talked about taking thoughts captive in Second Corinthians, chapter ten, verse five. Ironically, one of the first steps in releasing control of your life may be gaining control of your thoughts.