How To Replace Worry With Power

It’s easy to worry, isn’t it? For many human beings, it is unfortunately a natural state of mind. For me, I do it a lot less these days, but I’d be lying if I said worrisome thoughts don’t still cross my mind sometimes. Still, I wish someone would have taught me some valuable lessons about worry a long time ago.

The truth is, someone did teach me about the energy drainer that worry is. In fact, He told me many times. His name is Jesus, and His wonderful words are scattered throughout the New Testament of the Bible. I’ve read His words about avoiding worry and anxiety many times. They’ve certainly helped, and I’ve shared them here and with others. However, I still gloss over them and forget them at times when difficult situations arrive.

I recently read one of my favorite Bible verses in a different light, and it really woke me up to the meaning and true power of these words. The verse is from Philippians 4:6-7. I’ve read and shared them often. You’ve probably heard it…be anxious for nothing, but present your requests to God and you will feel His peace. However, I read The Message translation of this verse, and it awakened me to a similar but new meaning that I will certainly take with me into the new year. It goes like this… “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together  for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life”.

These are powerful words indeed. The part that stands out for me is the part about turning worry into prayer. Prayer is power! When you go from worrying to praying, you are adding God’s power to the situation. You may not have a solution or the ability to do what it takes, but He does. When you go from worry to prayer, you are humbling yourself to God and allowing His power to take over the situation. No wonder the result is God’s great peace. Isn’t it a great relief when you free yourself from  worrying about a difficult or uncomfortable situation, and knowing that God has full control of it?

You can free yourself from worry right now. As soon as a worrisome thought or situation enters your mind, immediately pray about it. I can tell you from experience that you will receive an immediate peace. In addition, you will feel empowered, not being held down by worry’s burden, and knowing that God’s power will help resolve the situation as it should be. Enjoy the blessings : )

Can Fear Be A Good Thing?

I often discuss in this blog that if we want to accomplish our goals and dreams, it is very important to have faith. I also mention that it is often fear that gets in our way and replaces the faith we are supposed to have. I have often thought..once I remove the fear and replace it with faith and confidence, I can accomplish the goal.

During the past few weeks, I have read some very different information, and it has greatly changed my philosophy. I am reading an excellent book called, “The Confidence Gap”, by Russ Harris. Like many of the books I’ve read, it deals with personal empowerment. However, unlike many of them, it does not discuss the affirmation and visualization techniques I have learned about and used.

The enlightening information that has changed my mental philosophy, is this idea: fear is a natural reaction, and the author explains why it is genetically engrained in us. The author reasons that fear is the completely natural human response anytime we move outside our comfort zone. He recommends that, instead of trying to fight and remove the fear, we are far better off accepting the fear. Then instead of letting the fear control us and move us away from our goal, we can  use this energy in a positive way to move us toward the desired result.

In many ways this goes against everything I’ve been taught. I always thought I was wrong to have fears and that God couldn’t work with me or for me if I did. However, this idea has brought a great deal of peace into my life. Instead of fear being abnormal, I am completely normal for having it. God created me, so He knows my natural response is fear. I realize more now that when I do fear, He simply wants me to rely on Him and channel the energy positively like the author (and God) recommends.

I present this peaceful information and receommendation to you, my cherished reader. If you are feeling fear in a difficult situation, there is nothing wrong with you. It simply shows that you are normal. The key is to avoid letting fear get the best of you. Instead of letting it control you, use the energy it creates, focus on the desired result of the task at hand, and simply go for it and do it.

You don’t think even the most confident people feel fear or anxiety? The athlete batting, pitching, shooting, or defending with the game on the line? The speaker delivering a key speech? The pianist or dancer performing live on stage? They may not show it, but they are all experiencing some fear or anxiety. The reason they may appear calm and confident is because, instead of letting fear get the best of them, they channel the energy correctly and creatively to help them perform their best at the most critical times.

Once again, I challenge you to do the same. Don’t let fear get the best of you. Instead, use it for the good it’s intended for. Use your mind to pray and focus, and use your increased adrenelaine to take positive action to accomplish the task at hand.

Through this I have learned that fear will never go away. I wasn’t ok with this before, but I am now. As long as you don’t let fear get a grip on you and bring you down, you can be ok with this too. Once again, instead of letting it negatively affect you, let it inspire and motivate you to “just do it” and live more of the life you want to live. That is certainly nothing to be afraid of. Enjoy the blessings : )