As I sat in the dentist's chair with the bright light shining down into my eyes yesterday, my anxiety coursed through my veins. But I went. My paranoia was a bit worse yesterday after my appointment, but the outcome of my appointment was better than I thought it would be.
Sometimes we need to face our worst fears in order to move forward. I was so scared about going that I thought of the worst case scenario. I dreamed and thought the worst case scenario for days and then when it came time for the appointment, it went better than expected and I was relieved.
I am a worst-case scenario type of thinker. I tend to imagine the worst case scenarios of everything I encounter. My anxiety is almost always on alert.
I am a catastrophizer, I admit it.
A couple weeks ago, I had an exam and afterwards, I thought I failed it. This turned into "I think I'm going to have to drop this class and stay another semester just for one class. Then my financial aid won't go through. Then I will become homeless because I won't have any place to stay. Then I'll just be..." You get the picture.... The rabbit trail of worst cases.
Anyways, I passed the exam and got 9 points above the average. Needless to say, I was very happy and am still excited.
But I don't think that catastrophizing and "worst-case-scenario-izing" is how God wants us to live. I think God wants us to live thinking about the best case scenarios. He doesn't want our anxiety and stress to always be high. He wants us to trust Him that everything will work out and that we have nothing to worry about.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
-Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
-Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
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