Wallowing in Worry? Take Action Because Action Changes Things

Inaction prolongs the distress of worry. 

by Michael Corthell

Have you woken up in the middle of the night worrying about a difficult situation? I think we all have. Many will pray, "God, please help me do something about this," but you can't sleep, the worry is overwhelming. You toss and turn, saying, "What should I do, what can I do?" But at the same time you know that worrying doesn't change the situation one bit and that you shouldn't worry. You may even remember a Bible verse or several of them. But still, the unsettled feelings continue to haunt you.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

—Philippians 4:6

For all of us, at some point in our lives, there were situations that were so overwhelming, so challenging, so distressing that we just couldn't help worrying about them. When we look back at the resolution of the problematic situations, you probably can clearly see that your worry changed nothing. You may have even now realized that the part of the worry that was positive in the situation, was 'dispassionate concern'—defined as acknowledging the situation and letting God take the lead in its solution.

But others will question this, I'm sure.

They will say that concern and 'worry' are the same. I say that they are not. Admittedly they are similar, but there is a big enough difference that you need to know what that difference is. When someone says to you, ''Are you worried.? You have to be cool, calm, and focused enough to say, "No, I'm not worried, I'm only concerned."

Move from fear to action.

Ask yourself, how can I take this fear and turn it into something I can do today—something that will most likely not cause the absolute worst-case scenario to happen?

Worrying is wrong, because it takes your faith in God out of the problem solving equation, leaving you alone to handle an overwhelming situation. If you are a person of Faith. You are never alone.

''So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.'' — Jesus Christ

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The proper way to frame this, is that worry is problem oriented, and concern is solution oriented. The solution to anything of concern is a partnership with God—a partnership that is grounded and qualified by Faith.

Finally, concern about troubling situations is always the proper approach because you easily include your all-knowing and all-powerful partner—God. Concern focuses on solving the problem and addressing the issue. Concern, with God's help is going over the same points over and over without adding judgment value to the situation. It is setting step-by-step priorities, coming up with options.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow
will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own"

— Jesus Christ
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Note from the author: I wrote this teaching from a Christian perspective only, which I often do because I am a Christian, but the fact of the matter is that any religious/spiritual truth I write about is taught in all major religions. Much of these truths are also acknowledged or taught in secular ethics as well. 

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Be The Warrior Not The Worrier - Fighting Anxiety & Fear

by Angela Ceberano

What if there was a way to systematically fight every single fear you have?

Angela has worked in public relations for over a decade, gaining invaluable experience and contacts throughout the industry. In the last ten years, Angela has represented some of the biggest international celebrities and brands. At 28 she saw an opportunity to create a new-school PR agency that was obsessed and addicted to results. Angela began Australian-based Flourish PR in February 2010 and the business has grown from a home office into a busy dynamic agency.

Angela runs a dedicated team of publicists and creatives who are new school thinkers in the world of PR.