WHY WE WORRY

It seems like worry is a part of our everyday lives. We know in our heads that worry is not helpful and yet our hearts seem to almost cling to worry. It takes up our brain space and even worse, our energy.

So what about worry is so...for lack of a better word…comforting? If we continue to do something, we must get something out of it.

Here is what I’ve noticed as I’ve worked with people:

1. Worrying gives us a false perception of control. In reality, most of what we worry about is out of our control. In our culture, we feel like if we aren’t doing something, we aren’t being productive. So we worry. Worrying makes us feel like we are doing something, and if we are doing something we are taking control. 
2. Worrying makes it seem like we care more. Does worry correlate with caring? The more you worry, the more you care? What would it look like if you didn’t worry? Maybe it has to do with what other people’s perceptions are. If you see someone not worrying, do you think they don’t care? 
3. We don’t know how to live in freedom. What would it look like to not worry? On the other side of worry is freedom. We like the idea of living in freedom, but in reality, freedom for many is scary. It is uncomfortable. So we go with what is familiar and hold on to things we don’t have control over and stay in our comfort zone.

I encourage you to look at what is zapping your energy with worry. Is it something you can do something about? If so, make a plan and do it. If not, my encouragement is to let go and surrender it. JC Watts says, “ It doesn’t take a lot of strength to hang on. It takes a lot of strength to let go.” 

It’s not easy. Most things worth doing aren’t easy. But letting go and not letting worry consume you is so worth it.

I’d love to hear from you? Why do you worry? Or what have you discovered from letting go?