Tackling Worries and Sunday Grace Notes
Worries can kidnap our thoughts and cause much more stress than we need. Here’s your weekly dose of grace in this overwhelmed world with easy tips for tackling your worries.
Worrywart. Nervous Nellie. Handwringer.
We’ve all heard these phrases at one time or another in our lives.
And most are attached to a character flaw a person has, as if they are born with it.
What if I said you could change this habit?
I go into more detail in this week’s Grace Notes, and scroll down to see what’s been happening in our home this week.
Tackling Worries
I wanted to give you some hope with something that I often struggle with, which is worrying.
While I shared that I suffered from a Panic Disorder, I don’t necessarily have anxiety – and there’s a difference.
Panic Disorder comes out of nowhere, with no rhyme or reason to why your adrenaline suddenly surges out of control. Whereas anxiety is a thought driven problem.
Now, when that panic does show up – lemme tell ya – those thoughts are on overdrive and I have ended up in the ER many times after that initial adrenaline has suddenly turned to full on fear.
Trent and I have been trying to learn more about the idea of renewing your mind that Paul talks about in Romans 12:2.
It’s tough when you are surrounded by the tornado of problems to calmly reset your mind.
Here are a few things we are trying to implement more when tackling worries that occur more often than not.
Recognize the source.
I love this analogy of how our emotions can’t be trusted.
Think about being in a movie theater watching a suspenseful thriller, or maybe even watching a sad play.
Our emotions can overtake us, causing our heart rates to rise and breath to quicken, or even bring tears to our eyes.
But if you truly disconnect the emotion from the moment – all those feelings can suddenly dissipate.
You are seated safely in a theater with a concrete ground. You can look around you and see others feeling the same way, but they are equally free from danger or true sadness.
Yet, our minds are so powerful, our bodies react as if what make-believe moment we are watching is truly happening to us personally.
By first acknowledging the emotion driving your fears or concerns, this can help you move on the next step.
Stop looking ahead.
There are many references where God tells us to get present with what you are facing.
Matthew 6:25-34 says, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Other versions say do not be anxious for tomorrow.
Most of the time, what drives our anxious thoughts are the fears of the future.
And more importantly, our lack of control of what is ahead.
While my panic is brought on naturally, my mind takes it to the next level by filling it with fearful, worrisome what ifs that don’t seem to stop.
But that’s easier said than done when you are in the midst of the overwhelm like I was last week.
So take a moment to get present when that stress, sadness, anger or anxiety hit.
What does that mean?
Reset Your Surroundings.
If you can’t reset your mind, then change your environment.
Step outside and feel the sun on your skin. Take a walk and hear the wind blowing in the air. Listen to the birds overhead and maybe feel the grass beneath your feet.
If you can’t go outside, look out a window, or move to a different room than where you are. You could even put on a song to break that thought process, even if just for a moment.
Just as the movie analogy shows you – you truly and physically are safe and loved.
That is what the Lord is reminding us in Matthew 6:25-34.
He cares for us more than we could ever fathom.
And we are to place our trust in Him and release trying to control our circumstances.
Psst – by the way – you never truly had control to begin with!
I hope this blesses you, dear one, if you are searching for a dot of sunshine in your gloomy circumstances.
Remember, this is only temporary:
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
Phil 4:8-9
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Christmas is slowly showing up in the Fancher home!
And as a blogger, I’m way behind!
You see, our goal is to put out our holiday decor to help you find ideas in time for your home this season.
But, I’m giving myself a dose of grace this year.
The Latest with Us
It’s been a slow healing process with Trent’s open heart surgery. Physically, he has been healing amazingly well.
But we did have one set back. His top stitches did not stay adhered and it looks like he’s going to have a gnarly scar at the top of his chest.
And of course in the most visible spot. But just as Trent is always filled with humor, he said – well, I’m a drummer and my scar will just look like a drumstick!
New Happenings
We are slowly getting back into the blogging game after this mult-month hiatus and any big DIY projects are still on the back burner until Trent is fully released to return to normal without any restrictions.
And overall, our priorities have shifted much and we have been rethinking how to share our content.
We are eager to get started on creating our podcast and currently have a goal of launching it in the new year, so stay tuned for more details to come!
And I compiled a list of my favorite DIY Ornaments from the past years that include sneak peeks of this years DIYs!
My Favorites from the Week
As per usual, I have been rearranging a few pieces of furniture and I have made a shift in our home decor.
I moved my Reupholstered Ottoman from the basement to the upstairs.
So that means I have been looking at a replacement. I found this one on Amazon and it should be coming in a week or so! I hope it works out!
And we got a new tree for our home this week and I absolutely LOVE it! Here’s a link if you want to check it out!
Stay tuned for this year’s Christmas posts coming this week!
- Abundance Not Scarcity – Yr 1 Wk 7
- That Time I Was Redeemed – Sunday Grace Notes – Yr 1 Wk 6
- The Fixer Upper Christian – Sunday Grace Notes – Yr 1 Wk 5
- Trusting God in the Deserts of our Life – Sunday Grace Notes – Yr 1 Wk 4
- God Does Give You More Than You Can Handle – Sunday Grace Note – Yr 1 Wk 3
- Tackling Worries and Sunday Grace Notes – Year 1 Week 2
- Overcoming the Overwhelm: Sunday Grace Notes – Year 1 Week 1
