"My Journey With Overthinking."

The term seems so self explanatory, and to a degree it is. However, when I looked up the term for myself, I found a definition that was startling and enlightening at the same time.

GoodRx Health defines overthinking as:

• Overthinking is when you dwell on or worry about the same thing repeatedly.

• People who overthink can be paralyzed by their worries and may struggle to make decisions or take action.

• Overthinking can be caused by — and contribute to — depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.

I think for most of us, realizing that overthinking can be an unwanted contributor to diminishing our mental health is an eye opener. Sometimes overthinking can be such a part of you that you don't even realize when it's happening. I believe that overthinking actually is a function of anxiety (more on that in another post). I know for me, it's been a journey of realization that overthinking was a problem in my life. Thinking back, I remember becoming distinctly aware that I was overthinking something when my husband mentioned it to me one day. He said, "Val, you're overthinking it." Unaware, but in his own simple, worry free way he helped me to awaken to an area of my life that I was struggling in.

I began to notice a pattern. Whenever I had to make a significant decision, fear of making the wrong decision would creep in and there I would be "stuck" in an endless cycle of wondering how to move forward. It was actually fear of the unexpected and fear of the unknown. It was fear of what I could not control - which is a whole other blog post in itself. "How will this decision affect me, my family, and others?" "What if I make the wrong choice?" "How will the wrong choice affect us?" "I can't be the blame for it all going wrong!" I know. It's tormenting, right? The comfort in it all is knowing that I'm not the only one of God's children on His big green Earth that has dealt with this. It's also been comforting to become aware that God has had the remedy for me all along.

Our Father tells us in John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." This scripture stayed with me. It's been stuck in my spirit and I've constantly reminded myself of it in times when I've began to overthink again. I've had to work that scripture into my mind daily. This is why it's so important for us to do Romans 12:2 and transform our mind by renewing it in the Word. Psalm 1:2 tells us to delight ourselves in the Lord and meditate on His law day and night. Speaking the Word over ourselves and believing it is key. Sometimes it takes doing it until you believe it. Your faith becomes the catalyst for your belief. God's Word is powerful and it works when we work it.

I hope I've said something in today's post that sparked healing in your spirit. Knowing that you're not alone is a powerful resource. The enemy has had enough time running amuck in our minds. The Word of God is our defense and our safe place. Use it!

Prayer for Today:

Father, thank you for your Word. It is our safe space and our protection against Satan's schemes. We are not helpless, neither are we hopeless. Thank you for the power of your Word that you have given us to stand on. We believe you and we love you. Amen.