Don't Worry, Be Happy

A Note From Emmy:

Bobby and I became friends when were were in the play Faith County this past spring (those of you who saw the play know him as "Gladys"). He is an amazing person - and always so positive and uplifting! I'm so glad he offered to do a guest post - and I know you will be too!

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The creators of The Price is Right probably never intended their program to produce anxiety.  The sounds of someone spinning the Big Wheel or winning A BRAND NEW CAR always makes my stomach tighten and my breath shorten just a bit.  I've developed that weird association in the hospital waiting room.  Over the last few years, I've spent more time than I care to think about waiting there to see how my mom's latest surgery would turn out.  Coincidentally, the waiting has spanned many Showcase Showdowns.

The surgeries, their accompanying hospital stays, and the general dread that comes with a loved one's bad health has lead to a lot of worry.  It's caused me to feel just a bit more drained, weary, impatient... overall, I just feel older.

I always try to remind myself that worry does nothing to change anybody's circumstances.  No matter how much I dwell on how things are, how I wish they were, how they could be, or how they used to be... nothing changes.  I am not in control.  My worry and my anxiety only rob me on my joy. It does nothing productive.

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Matthew 6:27 (NLT)

Nope, you're right, God, they can't.  You tell me that in your Word.  Many times, in fact.  I wish I could just listen.  But, like so many other things you tell me that I should do, I can't just take your word for it.  I'm pretty stubborn that way.  Is that why you gave me stubborn children of my own?  Just so I could see how you feel about me?

I don't like the way worry makes me behave.  I don't like the way it makes me impatient with my kids, tired at my job, and generally just a real bummer to be around.  

I've tried several coping tactics to get around this worry and anxiety.  Lately, what I've tried is using positive visualization and affirmations as a way of reminding myself of how I want to be.  Basically, affirmations are active, positive statements about how we want to be.  They are stated in the present tense, as if they are already true.  The idea is that by focusing our attention on these statements, we sort of train our brain for how it should behave.

Examples:

I focus on my blessings and release my anxiety.

I am calm, relaxed, and happy even during times of stress.

I express gratitude for all that is right with my life.

I read a great article about affirmations that said that we should always write/say them "a size bigger" than we are now, so that we can grow into them.  

It works for me.  I've also taken to using Twitter as a way to focus on these and other positive thoughts.  I try to tweet positive, encouraging, uplifting, and inspirational things myself and follow other people who are doing the same thing.  Essentially, I'm using Twitter as a sort of "mental floss" to clean out dread, doubt, anxiety, and negativity and make room for all things positive.

After all, Proverbs 12:25 says Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Sometimes you have to be the one offering that encouraging word to yourself. 

Bobby Clubbs is a son, husband, dad, teacher, blogger, and podcaster.  He would love to connect with you on Twitter (@BobbyClubbs) or at his blog, BobbyClubbs.com

This post is part of The Proverbs Project which is hosted at Bobby's blog.  Please check out the project and consider participating!