How to Not Overcomplicate Your Life: A Study on JonahSample

Day Two - Don’t Let Your Mood Be Your Master

Worry and anxiety can feel, well, kind of addicting. Think about it: doom scrolling on social media, only listening to sad or angry music, immediately assuming the worst, constantly telling yourself no one loves you even though you know that’s not true, etc. Why do we choose to meditate on things we know aren’t good for us? Maybe it’s because those anxious thoughts feel familiar and familiar feels comfortable.

In a lot of ways, our anxiety has become an idol and our mood has become our master. When bad moods and anxiety knock on our door, we welcome them in and feed them with negative thoughts so they grow.

In Jonah 2:8-9 (NIV), he says, Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.

When we cling to anything other than God, we miss out on the opportunity to fully experience God’s grace and peace. Jesus said worrying doesn’t add a single minute to your life — but how many of us are wasting precious years because we’re clinging to our worry? Jonah’s worry and bad attitude complicated his life and ultimately landed him inside a giant fish. But it was in that uncomfortable place where God was finally able to get Jonah’s attention.

Breaking habits of worry won’t happen overnight. It’s going to take a minute to change the soundtrack of anxiety in your brain — but with prayer, intentionality, and some outside help from a trusted friend or leader, you can do it! You can reach for gratitude the next time you feel anxiety reaching for you. You can preach to your feelings the next time your mood threatens to lead you away from the promises of God. Being a servant of God isn’t easy, but it’s way better than being a slave to your feelings.

Challenge: Where are you spending more time and energy feeding your fears and worries instead of feeding your faith? Where do you need to preach to your problems, and what anxious thoughts do you need to silence with gratitude and worship?

*NOTE*: We're not talking about clinical depression and anxiety here. We're simply talking about the feeling of worry or general anxiety. If you have questions or concerns about your mental health, please talk to a trusted adult.