3 Really Simple Steps to Tame the Worry Monster
I learned something scary about myself. I have an unseen enemy inside me. A monster is lurking in the dark corners of my mind. Lately, taming the Worry Monster is a daily battle I’ve been losing.
I’ve been trying to tame the Worry Monster for a long time. This sinister enemy sneaks in when I least expect it and robs me of my peace.
A while back, my car was in the shop, so Bruce drove me to work. We’d stayed up too late, and I’d dragged my comatose body out of bed before its time. I sat in the car in Zombie wife mode. My whole being was communicating a message: Don’t talk to me. Trust me, this will not go well.
I really should have just stayed in bed and called in sick.
But I digress, I was telling you about the frightening self-revelation I experienced.
It all started when I decided to turn on the radio in hopes of waking myself up and hypnotizing myself into a happier mood. I turned the dial off my husband’s pre-set talk radio station (Yuck!) and landed on .K-LOVE.
The music was like caffeine in my veins. Soon, I was tapping along and even singing. Bruce was overjoyed to witness my resurrection from Zombieland.
After a song or two, the DJ’s started talking about something nonsensical and silly in the news. They bantered back and forth about how scientists have discovered that there is actually a Worry Gene. Yep, that’s right. If you are a worry wart, it’s probably in your DNA. Blame your ancestors.
Bruce and I laughed about it as we pulled into the parking space at work. My knight in shining armor walked me in to the office and carried my heavy bags and even opened the door for me.
Squeak. “You’ve got a creaky door there, ma’am. I can take care of that for you if you have some WD-40.” I pointed my husband toward the office supply closet to see if he could find something to take the squeak out.
I watched him turn the corner and stayed by the door anticipating his return.
I stood in silence for what seemed like an eternity and shifted my weight from one foot to the other. After a few minutes, I frowned at the clock.
Why’s he been gone so long? I imagined my husband prostrate on the floor and not breathing. I considered calling 911.
Right before I broke down in tears, my man came bouncing around the corner empty-handed.
“I have the worry gene,” I confessed. Left alone with my thoughts for more than 90 seconds, I will construct an imaginary apocalypse.”
The Worry Monster is lurking around in the corners of my mind seeking to squelch my joy and steal my serenity.
Have you met the Worry Monster? His ability to magnify your fears knows no bounds if you give him free rein.
With this crazy COVID pandemic covering us all with a cloud of doom, the Worry Monster has gained a whole lot of power over my day. I fret about my family ending up in the ER on a ventilator. (No one has yet.) I am anxious that we won’t be able to pay the mortgage. (We still have money in the bank though). I am constantly making up imaginary disasters in my head.
I have lost a lot of sleep this year thanks for the terrible Worry Monster. I’ve decided that I can’t fight this adversary all on my own, so I’ve been digging into the Word and asking God to fill me with Truth, peace, and joy. Every day, I feel like I won’t win this battle, but I know that God is greater than my fears.
Just a few days ago, I received a series of frantic texts from a friend who was facing the bully head on. My response was simple:
Stop, Breathe, and Pray.
It’s like stop, drop and roll when your mind is on fire. You must turn your worries into prayers.
How to Tame the Worry Monster
Stop
- Tell your brain to stop thinking crazy. Chuck the enemy’s lies and take your thoughts captive (II Corinthians 10:4-5).
- Tell your thoughts to obey what you know is true. Remind yourself of what is right, noble, lovely, and pure (Philippians 4:8).
- Remind yourself that God has not given you a spirit of fear. You are armed with His power, love, and of a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7).
Breathe
- Let God’s peace invade your soul (Psalm 34:1-4, MSG).
- Be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).
- Allow Him room to restore your soul (Psalm 23:1-3).
Pray
- Turn your worries into praises and petitions (Philippians 4:6-7).
- Cast all your anxiety on Him, and let Him care for you (I Peter 5:7).
- Persist in fighting on your knees and never lose heart. Be a prayer warrior, not a worry wart. (Luke 18:1)
Want some ammunition to help you tame the worry monster? I’ve created a one-page printable with 10 Scriptures to help you remember your God is bigger than bad days. Download a copy and read through these sweet promises every morning to help you say no to worry this week Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and https://www.lylidunbar.com/sign-up/ grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
As we say no to the lies of the enemy, fill our lives with His peace, and draw near to God with surrendered hearts, our anxieties will lose their power. God’s grace will strengthen us and give us exactly what we need to face this day.
All around us people are filled with fear and doubt, but we can follow Jesus and find a firm place to stand. As we hold fast to His Word, others will see that they can find hope in Christ even when life is hard. Worry won’t win if we surrender all to Jesus with worshipful hearts.
To tame the Worry Monster, just simply stop, breathe, and pray.
Let’s Chat: How do you tame the Worry Monster?
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When we’re battling worry or anxiety, it helps to have these powerful truths in their simplest and easiest to grasp form like this.
I am glad this encouraged you Barbara. I am determined to tame that Worry Monster with the Lord’s help.
The words “what if” are the ones I have discovered are the invitation to the worry monster. I try to second guess God and the future. Thanks for writing about this some we can become aware and change bad habits by grace.
Yes,, “what if” opens up the door. That Worry Monster is super sneaky, and I am trying to guard my heart and mind from his attacks.
Lyli, some days are better than others, but yes, I am prone to worry. One thing I am finding to be helpful is to have music playing throughout the day. Keeping my mind on the Lord (and not the world news) keeps that monster away.
And … Calvary’s daily morning time has helped. 🙂
Yes, friend! Both of these tools have been super helpful to me in this season.
For anyone who is reading, you can go to YouTube or Facebook and watch the morning worship and prayer meeting with Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. It’s been a wonderful way to start my day. They broadcast live at. 7 AM EST, but you can also watch the replay later on in the day.
Stop, breathe and pray. That might be the solution to a lot of our problems.
I was affectionately called Worry Wort as a child. My worry and anxiety is actually what the Lord used to ultimately draw me into a saving relationship with Him in my late 20s. It has been a constant struggle my whole life. Providentially, the Lord prompted me to write a book right before the COVID crisis that I ended up publishing during the crisis which is about breaking the habit of worry. Interestingly, as a seasoned worrier, I was baffled by the fact that during the height of lock down I was experiencing no anxiety. It was actually strange to me. I wasn’t even worrying! I had heard of others who suffered with anxiety their whole lives experiencing the same phenomenon. One person said that because worriers tend to put themselves into crisis mode when there isn’t one, when an actual crisis happens, they are “comfortable and familiar” and so don’t end up being anxious or worried. Sounds odd, I know. lol.
It doesn’t surprise me that there is a worry gene because I come from a long line of worriers. And I can honestly say this was not a learned behavior. It wasn’t something I saw acted out in others. In fact, many times worriers can hide their inner turmoil.
Thanks for sharing Truths from Scripture to help “tame the worry monster”.
Blessings,
I love how you used STOP, DROP & PRAY. It’s easy to remember, plus now I get to imaging the worry monster as a little, fuzzy, pink toy — he’s nothing to worry about after all. 2 Tim 1:7 is my go-to verse for worry and has always helped. Thanks, Lyli.
I’ve tried to create a habit of turning every worrisome thought into a prayer. it helps!