Worrying seems like the logical response when we face a circumstance whose outcome is uncertain or seems unfixable. We tend to worry when there is a loss, unemployment, a difficult marriage, a breakup and even for small things.

We humans don’t like it when things don’t go our way and when plans go awry, some of us become anxious and frazzled. The truth is, when our intended plans are disrupted, we have a tendency to run to worry.

My question is-what has worrying done for you lately?

Has it caused your problems to disappear or magically fixed? Has worry solved your financial woes? Has it mended your arduous marriage? Has worry made you happier? Made you a better person? Built your character? 

No, I did not think so. So if worrying doesn’t remedy anything, why do you do it so habitually? Why do you worry so much?

Has worry not caused enough anxiety, depression, and stress in your life? I know it has for me and I am through worrying about things I do not have any immediate solutions for and you should be too. I say you toss worry out the window and begin to embrace another way of dealing with the situations in your life you cannot remedy.

I say you toss worry out the window and begin to embrace another way of dealing with the situations in your life you cannot control.

First, understand that everyone is going through something they would rather not be in; it is part of living in a fallen world and cannot be avoided. No matter how careful you are, difficulties and negative experiences in some form are to be expected. It is part of the package of living as an imperfect person who needs to interact with other flawed individuals.

But I have good news. Jesus already knows all this and has left us with his peace. In addition he has provided us with the solution to all life’s troubles.

In John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

So in other words, Jesus is saying to us, “You will have troubles in this world but stick with me”. Why? “ Because I have already overcome the world”. Jesus has already overcome financial hardships, broken families, bad bosses, diseases of all kinds, confusion and any problem you may be facing right now. Jesus has left his peace for you, so you do not need to be anxious.

When you stick with him he will provide a way for you to go through and overcome. When he ascended back to Heaven, He sent the precious Holy Spirit to us. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and counselor and is here to help us navigate our daily lives including the difficulties we experience. He is solution-centered and quite pragmatic. With the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, here are some helpful tips you can utilize when facing your challenges. 

Tips On Dealing With Troubles:

• When trouble comes your way, remember they are only temporary. I know you might be in it for a while but it will not last forever. It will end someday; there is an end in sight.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

• Use your struggles to reach out to others. I always believe that God allows trouble to strengthen and personally develop us as well as to help others out. There is always a brother or sister that could use a word of encouragement from an experienced party.
• Focus on the good in your life, not your troubles.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

• Acknowledge and accept the difficulty for what it is. Do not ignore it. Then remind yourself that you will go through this with the help of the Holy Spirit.
• Live your life now! Do not allow troubles to immobilize you. Your life does not have to stop just because of your difficulties.

• Use your troubles to fuel your future- take all the lessons you have learned from them and build yourself up from the inside out.
• Go through your troubles with an attitude of success. Remember, you are fighting from a place of victory, not to a place of victory.

Remember that you cannot avoid troubles, but when they do come, don’t stress yourself out by worrying. Go through it with the help of the Holy Spirit and trust in the Heavenly Father’s great love for you.

Troubles will not always last; it may take months, weeks, years or even decades but it will not last forever! Your attitude through it will determine your level of joy! And yes, joy and trouble can co-exist! Rejoice always; even in your troubles, you never have to go through it alone. You have a friend in the person of the Holy Spirit. He is waiting to hold your hands and walk you through.

Nayanda