Recently, a well-intentioned person, who I believe meant to be empathetic, said to me, “I’m sure you’re worried about this.” Alas, the person misunderstood. I wasn’t worried. Rather, I felt overwhelmed and tired. And, I also felt a sense of trust, especially in God and Divine Outcome.
Perhaps you’ve noticed, Blessed Reader: Worry is so self-defeating. It’s one of the things which can bring our life’s journey to a screeching halt because it discombobulates our vision and imagination — our inner, creative compass. Worry also zaps our spiritual strength, catching us in vicious cycles of more worry. It raises our blood pressure, taxes our brains and strains our bodies. Literally, we can tie ourselves up in knots with worry. Furthermore, worry limits our ability to discern what’s ours to do and the best ways to do it.
Jesus offered divine life wisdom when he said in the passage sometimes called “Free from Anxiety” or “How Not to Worry” (Luke 12:22-32):
“. . . Do not worry . . . . Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? . . . . Instead, seek God’s Kingdom . . . and do not fear . . . for God is pleased to give you the Kingdom.”
Because this can be easier said than done, here are some other, practical ways to release worry:
- Limit your daily intake of news.
- Discern how you’ll set schedules which work best for you. Once they’re set, stick to them. These include time to:
- pay bills, plan budgets and manage finances.
- eat, exercise, play and rest, including going on vacations and spiritual retreats.
- check social media, e-mail, texts, and phone messages.
- Stop these activities an hour before bedtime so you can unwind and relax. Then, don’t resume them until an hour after you awaken. Either time is fabulous for prayer and meditation.
- If you still awaken in the middle of the night and can’t return to sleep:
- Get up and stretch.
- Contact Silent Unity (1-800-669-7729; silentunity.org) for prayer.
- Play gentle, meditative music. Breathe deeply.
- Sip warm milk with honey.
- Journal, draw, paint or color.
- Avoid the “worry traps” of comparison tripping and memory loops, as well as the “spiritual indigestion” of over-learning, over-studying, and/or over-following.
- Call your BFF for a reality check, especially in times of stress or illness.
- Collect favorite affirmations, blessings, compliments, cards and photos which remind you how much you’re loved, valued and appreciated.
- Remember two sacred truths:
- Sometimes, what we see is a highlight reel. Everyone faces loss and difficulties.
- Part of transformation is moving on from what once fulfilled us, but no longer does.
Above all, trust in God and the wisdom within you. For as Jesus reminded us: God is our Abundant Source, Eternal Grace, Infinite Compassion, and Unconditional Love, always.
© 2016 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks. All rights reserved.
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