Certainty: You Don’t Need It

According to Sissy Goff’s book, Brave: A Teen Girl’s Guide to Beating Worry and Anxiety, there are four ways worry attempts to manipulate our minds: avoidance, desire for control, certainty, and comfort. I feel comfortable when things are certain; I know that for a fact. When I don’t know every last detail about just about anything in the world, it makes me anxious. I feel safe when I know the answers, but that’s not a healthy or godly place to be.

Truth is, in this life, nothing is certain. Some days go according to plan and others don’t. But don’t let that get you twisted in a knot. There are ways you can learn to handle these feelings. and though they are detailed further in the book, I’ll state a few here.

1. Coping Thoughts: The idea of positive affirmations didn’t come from nowhere. The way we speak to and about ourselves– called self talk– is so important that the Bible itself is full of positive affirmations. Make your self talk positive. Learn what the Bible says about you so that you can confess it freely. Recently, I learned Psalm 139 in its entirety. That is a great place to start for positive reinforcement.

2. Grounding Techniques: These include things like exercising (which is as simple as going for a brisk walk), deep breathing, singing, petting your dog, or playing a grounding game. (An example of a grounding game: 5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you feel, 2 things you smell, 1 thing you taste.)

3. Scripture Learning/ Meditation: I recently read The Power of Positive Thinking. In it, the author details ways of releasing power (energy) into your life. He spoke a lot about how Scripture renewed people– even people who had addictions and were taking antidepressants– and filled them with strength. I’ve been using Scripture in my stressful times and I must admit, my responses to life and its difficulties have changed a lot. It’s not that it’s become easier, it’s that I’ve become stronger.

4. Bossing Back: Tell your negative thoughts how brave you are and how much God loves you. In Brave, the author says to say it in your sassiest voice. (I just talk, but you could be sassy if you want.)

I know that I’m not physically there to listen to you and speak to you, but I want you to know that I care. I really do. So much, I’m going to tell you, if you have recognized an urgent need in your life for certainty, to ask your parents to buy you a copy of Brave. I want you to work through that book and walk into your life’s battles fully equipped. It has definitely helped me, so I’m sure it will help you.

Until next time.

Keep on dreaming.

#anxietytips #certaintyandanxiety #mentalhealthawareness #mymentalhealthjourney