How to Go from Worry to Worship

I was thinking the other day, whenever I have to fly – for business or personal travel – I honestly look forward to it and find myself so relaxed when I’m on the plane. Once I get situated, I say a short prayer for everyone on the plane, I start my music playlists and usually I’m sleep before they say “Please prepare the cabin for take-off.” Some of my best sleep has been on a plane; which I find quite interesting considering how high in the air we are and how fast we’re going.

During this particular flight as I was meditating and listening to one of my Gospel playlists, I felt such a peace and calmness come over my spirit. Anytime I’m in the air I can’t help but to reflect on who God is all by himself and who He is to me and in my life, which only makes me feel that much more comfortable, blessed and grateful. And what I love about Him so much is that there are no boundaries or limitations when it comes to Him because praise and worship was taking place right there in my seat.

It was also at that moment when I realized the pilots were in control of the plane meaning that I basically trusted them with my life! I trusted the pilots to navigate not only myself, but everyone around me, through any and all turbulence. Then, it hit me and I asked myself, “Do I trust God as much as I trust these pilots or do I worry more often than not?”

I’ll be honest…the answer to that question has and sometimes is, “No.” I don’t always trust God as much as I should and my worry replaces my worship even though I know it should be the other way around. Just about all of us can admit we go through different seasons and different experiences and sometimes we let our emotions, fear and doubt get the best of us. Sometimes we’re dealing with relationship or marital issues, career decisions, family drama. Other times you can’t find a friend, the money is funny or we’re dealing with grief and/or even mental or health issues. No matter the issue – big or small – I’ve been guilty of stressing about stuff more than I should’ve especially things that we can’t even control.

No one is perfect so we can’t act like we’re never bothered by certain things or situations. Nevertheless, let me encourage you and share what I have found to help me when I start to feel that uneasiness and anxiety in my body/spirit. So, do you go from worry to worship?

Reflect on what God has already done.

Sometimes the easiest thing to do is to reflect on every previous situation when God worked it out, turned it around and/or when He delivered you from it – whatever “it” may be. J. Moss said it best in one of his songs when he said, “The more I think, I thank you.” The more we reflect on what God has already done, the more we can focus on being grateful and thankful instead of miserable...and the easier it is for us to position ourselves in a posture of praise and worship.

I have more than enough examples from the past but one of the things I often reflect on is when my mom was a single mom. God always provided and I never went without necessities, and now I’m blessed so that I can be a blessing to her and vice versa. It’s easy to reflect on my so-called single “love life” and how at one time I gave up on love, but then God blessed me with my husband. I can reflect on my college days and my childish and stupid mistakes I made. I even lost part of my scholarship while I was in school but God gave me another chance and I graduated. I can reflect on a time in my life when I was going to a certain job literally depressed every day because I was not walking in my calling, but eventually God opened up new doors. And not only have I seen Him do it for me in my own life, but I’ve seen Him do it for others. So, I have to remind myself that if He did it then he can do it again.

Rely on God’s promises.

There is nothing more I can say that Matthew 6:25-34 doesn’t already say about worrying, how pointless it is and how God already knows what we need. Psalm 55:22 also tells us, “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you…” Sustain is another word for “nourish” and “give us what we need.” God has promised He will do provide and give us what we need if we just give it to Him. The problem is that some of us are still worrying and waiting for certain stuff simply because we haven’t yet given it to God. Don’t rely solely on your own strength and man’s promises when you can rely on God’s strength and His promises.

Ready a scripture(s) and/or song(s) in your heart.

There are times when our Bibles (or Bible apps) aren’t readily accessible, but that’s why it helps to also have something already prepared in your heart. The older I get, the more I appreciate hymns and understand why our elders have a tendency to hum a hymn or song out of nowhere.

Sometimes a quick scripture or certain song (whether a hymn, “ol skool” gospel song or even a “new skool” gospel jam) can help cancel out the worry and doubt. If you have memory issues, consider using your “Notes” app on your phone. I actually have certain scriptures in my phone that I sometimes use as a quick reference and even to help encourage someone else.

Rearrange and/or release toxic people, places or things in your life.

It’s true that most times bring on the stress and anxiety in our own lives, but if we were completely honest we’d have to admit that sometimes we allow other people, places and/or things to stress us or make our hearts heavy. We let certain people hang around for longer than necessary. We give power to people who shouldn’t have power over our lives – whether they know it or not.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “Sometimes saying no to everyone else means saying yes to yourself.” Not to be confused with selfishness, but think about when you’re flying. When they explain to the passengers how to use the oxygen masks, they always tell you how you can’t help the person next to you without first making sure you have oxygen. In other words, it’s okay to take care of yourself physically, mentally and spiritually so that you’re fully able to give of yourself to others. Moreover, what good is it for you to keep someone around who is trying to steal your oxygen by sucking the life right out of you? Every now and then you just have to let it go or let them go.

Reach up AND out for help when necessary.

Reaching up to God for help is the best thing we can do to get help. Moreover, reaching out to people you trust is often one of the ways He uses His divine power to help us. I don’t know about you but it seems like God always sends the right person (or people) at just the right time. A lot of times when we’re going through things, and I’m guilty of this too, we shut off everyone even those closest to us. Unfortunately, however, by doing that we end up shutting off the potential to be blessed, helped and encouraged by others. Most times when one of us is coming out something, someone else may be going into it, which ultimately allows us to help others who are now going through similar situations. That’s what it’s all about.

I’ll agree that people don’t always need to know the details, but even when you don’t feel like talking it can be as simple as telling someone, “Hey, when you go to pray will you say a prayer for me too? I’m dealing with something right now and just really need prayer.” I don’t know how many times I’ve vented to my husband and friends or cried my eyes out, but I almost always feel so much better the next day simply because I talked about it. Plus, there’s nothing like a good, hard cry every now and then.

Furthermore, don’t be afraid to reach out for help from those God has blessed with the gift of counseling/guidance. There’s no shame in seeking help when needed. We all know too much worry and anxiety can lead to mental, physical health and spiritual issues. I remember at one point in my life it was so bad for me (and I’ve talked about this before) that I literally experienced a panic attack. But I promised myself I wouldn’t allow worry and fear to take over my body like that ever again. So, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Remain faithful and prayerful.

You have to know and believe that the storm will pass. It will get better. You will be able to tell others how God did it! Matthew 11:22-24 says: “Have faith in God, Jesus answered. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Worship isn’t just what we sing or participate in at church, but it’s also how we acknowledge and show our adoration for God. When we worry, we’re basically telling God, “I don’t trust you and I don’t believe you will do what you say you would do.” That’s why we have to have faith, even if it’s the size of a mustard seed, pray and truly believe in God’s power.

Believe me…I know it’s not easy when you’re waiting for God to show up or move, or you’re waiting for that deliverance. But why waste so much time worrying when you can rest assured knowing that God already has a plan? I like the quote that says, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength – carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”

 

 

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