Battling the Worry-Monster

I think it's safe to say that most moms (if not all) battle feelings of worry. It's something we genetically inherited as women! The "what ifs" tend to plague our mind with doubt, fear and anxiety. It can make us second guess our every decision, cause great stress and negatively effect everything we do.

Have you ever worried about...

• what school your child should attend?
• feeding your family healthy food?
• getting enough exercise?
• deciding the activities for your family?
• words you've said to your kids?
• your child's safety?
• your child's future?
• paying the bills?
• being a good enough mom?
  

As a fellow worrier, I could tell you why you shouldn't worry about such things and even if my suggestions were valid and made total sense - it would still be hard NOT to worry! I remember when we brought our infant daughter home from the hospital, I was extremely tired. It was more than the usual sleep-deprivation after birthing a child - I had not slept for days. Why? I was worried! I was so afraid to fall asleep because I was afraid she was going to die. Now I know this is a real possibility and I mourn for those of you who have lost babies, but I had no reason to be worried about her health - and more than that, it was something that was totally out of my control. I finally remember crying and praying to the Lord, "Please Lord, I have to sleep. I give my baby up to you. If it be your will that we only have her for a few days, than thank you for the wonderful days we've already experienced." It wasn't until I prayed that prayer was I able to sleep.

How do we battle the worry-monster? What's the secret? Recognizing that worry and all the accompanying feelings (doubt, fear, anxiety) are not from the Lord. Those feelings are from the enemy and he will use them to destroy our confidence in God. It says in the Bible that God has given us a spirit of power and love and a calm and well-balanced mind (2 Timothy 1;7). I love the idea of God giving me a calm mind that battles the negative thoughts. We may not be able to battle the worry on our own, but with God all things are possible!

I will tell you it's a work in progress - it won't come automatically. You have to train your mind to focus on God's promises rather than the worry. Anytime that I feel worry creeping into my mind, I battle it with scripture. I handle the finances in our house (my husband can always tell when I've done the bills - I may not be in one of my best moods!) and they are at the top of my worry list. I would wake up in the middle of the night with my worries. I have to pray while I'm doing the finances and continually remind myself of God's promises (i.e. He will provide for us, He loves us, He tells us NOT to worry!) It's been a long process and I'm not certainly not perfect but I've gotten much better over the years. I've found that regular time spent with God, resting, and sharing my worries with trusted friends help me fight my feelings of anxiety as well. The important thing is that with God's help we CAN battle worry and win.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
2 Timothy 1;7 (AMP)

Mommy Tip of the Day: Making Lunches

Bring your lunch to work? Do your kids take their lunch to school? Make them the night before. I try to make them during the dinner mess. There’s a lot you can do while you’re waiting for the water to boil or for a meal to cook! I already have a mess in the kitchen so I might as well make lunches real quick. It saves your nerves in the early morning rush to just grab your lunch out of the fridge!

©2008 All Rights Reserved Trina Loucks