How to Take Action Against Worry
Look at the news lately and it’s like hundreds of Chicken Little’s yelling to everyone that our financial sky is falling. When there’s uncertainty, there’s usually worry. Worry leads to bad decisions and unnecessary anxiety. We can say NO to worry if we take time to understand the realities, make choices to control what we can, and then take another powerful ‘action’--determine to ‘Look Up and Look Back’.
First, let’s take a calm look at the situation. Oftentimes, the root of worry is a distorted view of reality. So, step one is an open-minded, clear examination of the facts. On the logistical and practical side, we can all do better to understand our own financial realities as well as the hazards and opportunities out there. One article from Business Insider asked “top women finance influencers to share their No. 1 piece of advice for navigating this moment. Their responses ranged from, ‘don't panic’ to budgeting tips like negotiating bills and creating a cash buffer, to … ‘Stay the course',” to help ease the panic after new tariffs were announced this week and the stock market plunged.
There are lots of sources out there, but beware of those who stoke fear. Instead, learn from those who’ve been trusted, rational experts. Maybe this is a wake-up call to start gaining control of your own finances. A great source for that is Dave Ramsey. Since you’re a woman--or man (lots of men read our emails)—of action, consider your situation, gain some wise advice, and take small or big steps to control what you can control.
Determine which things we CAN and CANNOT control. Stephen Covey talks about the difference between our Circle of Concern, and our Circle of Influence in his acclaimed book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey said that proactive people focus on what they CAN do or influence, while reactive people focus on things BEYOND their control. Our circle of concern will always be bigger than our circle of influence. But by focusing our energy on those things we CAN influence will enable us to make positive, effective changes in our life.
But what about those things we can’t control? Stephen Witmer writes, “There’s a lie we all want to believe — even against all available evidence. It trades on our God-given capacity for hope. It tempts even those with impeccable theology. It lures us in and then leaves us in the lurch. It goes like this: “Life will get easier if I just make it past this current challenge.”
The truth is, Life Is Hard. Sorry to be ‘Debbie Downer’, but believing in lies never works out, and it just makes you (and everyone around you) miserable. The real Hope is tied to the real Truth—even when it’s hard.
In his article, Life Will Not Get Easier, Whitmer gives real examples of people in the past who faced a ‘Sea of Hardships’, but they learned that “God’s love will outlast every discouragement, fear, anxiety, setback, and temptation we face.”
He calls us to Look Up: “In the midst of unrelenting opposition, Nehemiah repeatedly looks up. He speaks to the God of heaven who is here with him: “But now, O God, strengthen my hands” (Neh 6:9). Here’s the first key to joyful perseverance amid pervasive difficulties: look up to God.”
Then we must Look Back: “Not only does Nehemiah gaze heavenward; he also looks backward. God’s past faithfulness is a second source of indominable hope… As we meditate on God’s help in the past, our confidence in him grows in the present.”
My friends, times of hardship can either break us or strengthen us. I pray you find strength and real peace while you consider and practice these words. They have become a fortress for my soul and fuel for my days: “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)