We all worry.  Some of us worry about finances, family, work, health, friends, etc.  Worry can lead us to strive to become more productive, but it also can lead us to destruction. 

Worrying about being late might motivate someone to keep better track of time.  It might encourage someone to shift into high gear and get ready more quickly.  These are examples of how worrying might make someone more productive.  However, worry becomes an obstacle when it prevents us from enjoying our lives. 

During high school, I taught swim lessons to people of all ages.   One particular woman came in and asked for private lessons.  What I found was that her fear of water was so strong that she could not put her feet in the pool. 

Her worries about not knowing how to swim grew into fear of the water.  When her body touched the water, she would stiffen up; worry set in to the point of shutting down her ability to function. 

The first week, we spent the entire lesson building trust on a bench by the pool.  Her worry was not knowing if her feet would always be touching the bottom of the pool.  Once I found her worry, we worked from that perspective. 

Starting off with toes in the water, we gradually went in, holding onto the side of the pool, then walking, holding onto the side, walking while holding my hands, and walking holding one hand.  We then started to learn to tread water with one hand, and then two hands.  We started flutter kick while holding onto the wall. 

She progressed to floating, learning the strokes, and by the end of the year, she was able to cross the pool lengthwise on her own.  She was able to overcome her worry and fear of water.  She was so proud and relieved that she was no longer frightened by the water.  Her past worry no longer controlled her.  She felt empowered and taught me the true power of taking control of one’s worries. 

I always try to figure out what I am really worried about.  What is my brain thinking about when worry sets in?  Why am I so worried about this issue?  Once I know what is worrying me, I give that issue to Jesus.  I pray for the strength to move on and leave that worry to Jesus. 

When I am worried, I retrain my brain to think about more productive and positive thoughts.  I choose positive books, movies, and podcasts.  It is not easy to retrain your brain, but it is simple.  Often, I find myself having trouble getting an issue off my mind. 

When I can’t sleep at night or I am having trouble getting an issue off my mind, I may have to give the issue to Jesus NUMEROUS times.  As my worry sneaks back into my head, I am persistent in giving the worry back to Jesus. 

A good first step is to let go of your worries.  I provide myself with positive outlets to train myself to avoid worries that paralyze my productivity.  I choose to give my worries to Jesus and pray for help and redirection. 

Let’s face it, everyone worries; it is how we deal with our worries that is meaningful.

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