I recently read that the word ‘worry’ comes from an old German word ‘wurgen’ meaning ‘to strangle, constrict, choke.’ That’s telling, isn’t it? Worry strangles our brains, constricts our perspective, and chokes our peace of mind. One of the things I’ve learned about worry is that it grows when left alone. If you don’t proactively … Continue reading Worry grows when left alone
anxiety
Role models for children with anxiety
“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do” (Philippians 3:17). I recently interviewed Lyndsey Stevenato about anxiety in children. (See links below.) She has seen this trend rise through the pandemic. One of the things … Continue reading Role models for children with anxiety
Worrying means you suffer twice
In the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt Scamander tells people not to worry. In response, one of the characters says, “Tell me, has anyone ever believed you when you told them not to worry?” He replies: “My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice.”* Isn’t that great? Worry is a … Continue reading Worrying means you suffer twice
Use a worry filter
This week we’re talking about the big W… Worry. Generally speaking, worry isn’t good. But there are actually a few biblical passages where worry is portrayed positively. One of them is 1 Corinthians 12:24-25 where Paul says that the various parts in the body of Christ [the church] “should have equal concern for each other.” The … Continue reading Use a worry filter
They can’t command the same brain at the same time
Worry. It can rob you of contentment. You know it. I know it. We all know it! Maybe that’s why Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount are so poignant, powerful and popular: “do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… Can … Continue reading They can’t command the same brain at the same time
Dealing with stress…
Have you ever dealt with stress? Wow, all of your hands just shot up at once! Dr. Tim Cantopher explains that the word “stress” is from the world of engineering. Think of a bridge. When it is bearing a load that is heavier than it is designed to carry, it is “under stress.” With that … Continue reading Dealing with stress…
Tomorrow will worry about itself
Sometimes, no commentary is necessary: Jesus said… “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or … Continue reading Tomorrow will worry about itself
The unwelcome resident between your ears
Sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night, I hear noises. 99 times out of 100, they’re normal sounds. Things like the refrigerator or furnace. On their own schedule, they go on, turn off, go on, and turn off again. That’s like worry. Just when you think you’ve entered a place of … Continue reading The unwelcome resident between your ears
Maybe this will make you less stressed
Got stress? You're not alone. But you're also not without help. New research says that doing this one thing may help. And here's why.
Keeping the hairy gorilla out
Do you feel like negative junk is coming at you all the time? Here's a thought about keeping your head and heart focused on the right things.
The Up Devotional 