Are You Overthinking?
If you are anything like me, you overthink alll theee timeee. It is very annoying but I can not seem to shake it. At this point, overthinking should be my profession, but that is not good! How do we fix it??!
In Lameman’s terms overthinking literally means thinking too much. We spend a lot of time thinking. We think about our goals, plans, hopes, dreams, what someone said, what someone didn’t say, so and sos tone of voice. We are alwaysss thinking. A lot of the time this results in overthinking leading to mental issues such as anxiety. We create this mental pressure on ourselves to be perfect, to have everything under control, and that everything is fine. God empties our minds for us to fill it right back up with the wrong things. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” We believe what we see not what God has intended. We need to work on allowing God in and pushing the enemy out. Philippians 4: 6-8 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise(NLT).” When we are worried and out of control with our thoughts we need to stop and pray. We need to give our thoughts to God. Pray about what is bothering you, ask for peace over the situation. Focus on what God has given us and thank Him.
Faith does not need proof. You can have unwavering faith but if you still ask what if, is your faith wavering? If we believe that everything is through faith in Christ, then we shouldn't question everything else. For example, if someone uses an off-tone with you and you spin off out of control and overthink you need to pray it out. You sit there and ask questions. Why did they use that tone? Did I do something? Chances are they weren’t directing it at you and if they did that is not your problem. Try not to take it so personally, I know it is hard! It will be ok! Ask God to give you peace and move on. When our minds are overfilled already, all situations seem worse. Allow God to clear your mind and fill it with His Word. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect(NLT).” Set aside what others say, and their tone towards you. Allow God to transform your mind and ask him to reveal your purpose. If we focus on Him we won’t have the what ifs. We won’t be worried about what other people say or do. We will be filled with the Spirit.
If we believe what we think, is there room for God’s works? We can be hopeful for things in our lives but are they turning into our life expectations? We need to be more realistic with our thoughts. We can reverse our faith with a lot of what-ifs. What-ifs create denial, second thoughts, and doubt. When we worry, we think the worst. God did not intend for this. Instead of dwelling on what could happen, we need to focus on God’s plan for our future. When we think the worst we become insufferable worriers. John 10: 10 says, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life (NLT).” The enemy will always come for our minds first. We need to combat our thoughts by praying God’s will for us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, ““For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (NLT).” We need to rest knowing God has our backs and intends for us to be filled with peace.
I hope that your takeaway from this is that nothing is too great for God. Yes, we may overthink a lot in our lives but we shouldn’t let it distract us from God’s will and his plan. When we are in a time where we are overthinking we need to take a moment and give all our worries to God and ask for peace over our lives. Prayer is powerful and we need to use it whenever we face challenges.
