How to Overcome W.A.S. (Worry Anxiety Stress)

By: Nancy Abiera

 

“Be joyful always. Celebrate even in times of challenges. Do not worry. Talk and express all your concerns to God. Wait and listen to His advise and you will have incredible peace in your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 NIV (Nancy’s International Version)

We live in a society where everybody is pressed with deadlines, overbooked schedules, and too much to do with so little time. This applies even when one works at home or outside or volunteers in a church and even for those who are retired.

In my own personal and work experiences, I just love observing people’s attitudes, their reactions and responses to situations. When I was younger, these observations became my life lessons. I keenly paid attention to my parents, brothers and sisters, neighbors, extended family and even some strangers in the malls or airports. My dad even told me to apply the good things I see in people and drop the negative ones. It is so amusing and at times entertaining just like watching TV. Sometimes, I feel like tuned in on the kids’ cartoon channels; at times there’s heavy drama with many twists; sometimes there’s suspense and other times, comedy. This became my foundations in learning. I heard that “good people learn from their mistakes but great people learn from other people’s mistakes.”

Since I was the eighth child and very ambitious, I chose the latter and I learned a lot even from my own family. Now, I am continuing to learn more from other people I meet on a regular basis.

Allow me to share what I learned specifically on dealing with Worry, Anxiety and Stress (W.A.S.)

1. Live in the NOW. Many people dwell too much on what happened to them. I believe it is not what happened to us that makes or breaks us but how we perceive things. This leads us to either react negatively or respond positively. The first one could control us fully while the second choice gives us full control over the situation and our attitudes. I remember the story of a twin brothers whose dad was an alcoholic. One became an alcoholic just like the dad while the other brother became a successful lawyer. When asked why they became such and both responded with the same answer: “My dad was an alcoholic… What do you expect?” Same responses to the same question yet they have journeyed different paths in life. I must conclude that we all have options and choices in life. However, if one cannot forget the past, at least find something you can learn from it. Just like my experiences turning:

A. Mess to Message. Mistakes can turn into lessons or better yet new discoveries. 3M made millions of dollars when they made a mistake of a glue that does not stick good. This gave birth to a new and profitable product we now use called “Post It Note” pads. These are now available in many sizes including poster size pads.

B. Dis-Appointments (Yours only) to His-Appointments (Jesus included).

Your-story becomes His-Story when you include Jesus in every situation. When you share your problems with Jesus, it is divided and the burden feels easier and lighter. When you share your joys with Jesus, it is multiplied. In addition, your joy becomes contagious. Otherwise, it becomes just your own lonely history files of problems that can make you not only be chronically depressed but also depressed historically and hysterically.

C. We serve the God whose name is “I Am” not “I WAS” although He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Also, every time we use the sentence with an “I am __________ (negative word filling the blank),” we are dishonoring His name while putting ourselves down. For example, when I say “I am broke”, “I am depressed”, or “I am ill”. extreme and irrational suspicion and scapegoating of minorities, immigrants, refugees, and anyone perceived to be an outsider have never before influenced our global socio-political dynamics since Nazi Germany.

It’s time to wake up, unite, and join in the fight against this monstrous Hydra that has begun to rear its many ugly heads again. Let’s turn the corner together in this critical turning point in human history.

(All rights reserved. Copyright © 2016 by Victoria G. Smith. For updates on her author events & publications, go to VictoriaGSmith.com. “Like” her on Facebook at Author Victoria G. Smith. “Follow” her on Twitter @AuthorVGSmith) ___________________________________ are actually putting the name of the Lord in vain, using the name of God “I am.” Moreover, these statements are contrary to who we are as made in the image and likeness of God. What I suggest is to rephrase the above statements with “I feel short on finances yet God is my provider and He will supply all my needs according to His riches and glory”; “I feel depressed but God gives me joy which is the source of my strength”; “I feel ill but God is my healer and He will deliver me from this illness.”

Take note also that when you change the “I” in the word Illness to “We”, it spells as “Wellness.” 2. Focus on one thing at a time.

Worry and anxiety cause people to be all over the place not able to focus causing so much stress internally and affecting the people externally.

I noticed that anxiety-driven people do not know how to prioritize on what is urgent and important. Their mindset is stuck that everything is on a 911 Emergency. Please be mindful that everything has its own timing. Instead of anxiety or fear, hang on to the faith God has given us which helps us to be at peace waiting for God’s timing.

3. Always remember that God never leaves you nor forsakes you.

W.A.S.-(Worry Anxiety Stress)-driven people thinks that God is “Nowhere”. In reverse, the F.A.I.T.H. (Faith Anticipating Impossible Tasks Happen)-driven people trusts that God is “Now here!” This word used exactly the same letters. WAS makes us forget who God is and what He can do. FAITH makes us remember God’s goodness and His greatness.

4. WAS attracts COMPLAINT (Conflict, Obsession, Mental-block, Poverty, Lack, Aging, Illness, Negativity and Trauma).

Who wants to have all those trashes in life? We can either be overwhelmed by life’s challenges or we can become over-comers and experience abundant life. The choice is yours. Always be on a brighter side.

I love you readers with the love of the Lord yet God loves you the most. Smile and be a blessing. . .