Worry to Praise…

Several weeks ago, my husband challenged me to change my thinking. He suggested that whenever I get worried about something, instead of sitting in fear, I turn my worry into thanks.

For example, if I was worried about finances, I would recognize the worry and then thank God for providing for our family and for His abundance.

I fought doing this.

Like crazy.

I wanted to sit in my worry — because I knew all the answers, right? Slowly, I found that instead of trusting I was becoming a bit pessimistic. And this, my friends, goes against my nature. So Todd, my husband, asked me again to praise whenever I was fearful.

I fought doing this. Again.

I’d find myself awake at 2am while the rest of my family slept. Then when I’d awake, I’d be crabby — fearful. I’d storm around the house, muttering my dissatisfaction with everything — thus creating a mood of discontent that permeated throughout our home.

Finally, I decided to give my husband’s suggestion a try.

When anxiety welled up inside — about things like health, or how to afford homeschool supplies, or job opportunities, or more — I just praised. I thanked our Father for what He has already provided and what will be provided.

Gradually, I felt the robes of fear begin to fall off. Previously, I was looking at my plans, my agendas, my goals and was becoming discontent when they weren’t what I expected or wanted. This allowed bitterness to creep into my demeanor.

Until those days of thanks.

I had been so full of self and my own wants that I forgot to see what I was blessed with. Even though things might not be what I always imagined, I had lost sight of the abundance right before me. I have a home, wonderful children, a faithful husband, food on my table, good health, a husband in remission, great neighbors, excellent friends, freedom to worship, freedom to homeschool — how could I forget all these things?

I had forgotten because I forgot the need to be grateful.

Today, can I challenge you to give thanks instead of worry?

If there’s fear, replace it with a prayer thanking God for His protection. If it’s about needs, replace it with gratitude for all you have been given. And thank the Lord for what is to come. There is beautiful freedom in letting go of anxiety and replacing it with praise.

And I pray that your words and thoughts of gratitude will fill your day with joy.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7NIV

–Rachel Martin