Podcast Episode 151 - How to Jump Off the Anxiety Rollercoaster pt 1 - What Do You Do When You Don’t Know What to Do?
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Do you have anxiety on speed dial?
Have you ever felt like you're on a one-loop roller coaster of fear?
Do the "what if's" have you trapped in the worry spin-cycle?
We all experience anxiety. It can feel like we're on a one-loop rollercoaster with no way out. But there is a way out.
So, today is for you if…
If you know anxiety is holding you back from the life you're meant to live.
If you desire a joy-filled life instead of a stress-free life.
If you're ready to stop using anxiety as an excuse so you can stop hiding, show up fully yourself and fulfill your God-given purpose–courageously.
I grew up in a culture of achievement, but we've flip-flopped. We are in a worry/fear-based culture. Even our kids are experiencing anxiety like never before.
Anxiety affects us differently, and more people are on anxiety meds than ever before. It's become a normal part of life.
I believe God wants us to experience life differently. When God said, "I know the plans I have for you," I don't think that anxiety was a part of that plan.
Let's define worry vs. fear vs. anxiety.
Worry is like the what if…
What if a spider comes after me in the middle of the night?
(on a #rabbittrailshappen, spiders don't like lavender...so sprits it wherever you want those creepy things to flee.)
Fear is when that issue is right there in your presence.
That spider would be right there.
This definition of anxiety comes from Sissy Goff, a therapist and author of *Raising Worry-Free Girls.
“Anxiety is an overestimation of the problem and an underestimation of yourself.”
What are you anxious about that you're overestimating the problem and underestimating yourself?
It's like you're on a one-loop roller coaster and don't feel like you can get off.
Do you need to make a job change?
Do you need to step into what God's called you to do?
Maybe you're doing what God called you to but got stuck along the way. Now you're overestimating the problem of taking the next step and underestimating your ability to do the thing God called you to do.
I'm focusing on anxiety around doing what God's called us to do, but anxiety can show up in various ways: parenting, our marriage, finances, friendships and world issues.
Not only is anxiety an underestimation of ourselves, but it's also an underestimation of our God and how capable He is of handling your problem.
Ask these two questions to help jump off that anxiety rollercoaster:
First, think about one thing you're anxious about. Now, ask yourself:
1. Do you have control to make a change in this situation?
If you say no–give it to God.
Then He gives you peace.
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
If you say yes, you have control or some control to make a change; ask yourself…
2. What would I do if I did know what to do?
Just pretend for a second and answer that question.
Then do that!
Most of the time, we know what to do but are too afraid or underestimate ourselves.
Go back to, there is more in you than you thought possible and that our God is so much bigger than our problem!
So many times when we're on the spiral anxiety loop, we forget just how big our God is.
Put that problem in perspective.
Put yourself in perspective.
Put your God in perspective.