Underneath worry and anxiety is fear. They are connected. When a fear consumes us, it gives birth to worry and anxiety. From that point, it can control or paralyze us.
Yes, I just repeated that in three consecutive posts. It is crucial to understand. You can read Post 1 if you missed it HERE. And you can read Post 2 if you missed it HERE.
If we pause life for a minute, pull over the “car” and raise the hood on what worries or stresses us, we will likely find fear underneath. It drives us up winding paths that lead to dead-ends of no peace.
We need to pull over. Stop. Pause. We need to make space to practice giving our fears, worries, and anxieties over to Jesus, regularly.
A way to pray.
In the last post, I shared how personalizing and praying scripture can free us to experience the full effects of it in our day to day, in whatever we fear. Applying and reapplying the balm of scripture is where practice comes in. It’s going to take a few times. Maybe several. However many it takes until you feel your heart lighten as your fears and worries fade. This rhythm is meant to be a way of life, not just a one-time thing. Additionally, I included image downloads and printable versions of personalized scriptures to pray (click HERE to get them!).
A way to pause.
Another way to practice giving your fear, worry, and anxiety over to God is through the One Minute Pause app. I have found this immensely helpful! So have many friends and family who have tried it. Each pause grants space to breathe, to slow, and is laden with scripture through prayer. It begins with a single minute. Literally, just 60 seconds. A small, doable start. Then, it expands to three and five minute options, and so on.
When I find myself consumed by thoughts leading me up those winding roads I really don’t want to go, the mental pauses are an excellent relief. Here’s a snippet from one of them.
This “5 minute mental strength” pause, includes many scriptures of peace and prayers to bring our thoughts back into what is true. You can spare five minutes in the parking lot at work, or the carpool line. Try it before going to sleep or on a bathroom or lunch break.
There is also a 10 minute mental pause that is broken into two sections. The second half gives a few choices to listen to for further meditation on truth. One of the options is “Love.” Since fear has to do with punishment, God’s love drives out all fear. (1 John 4:18) Every time I marinate in this section, I experience a greater portion of His love, leaving less and less room for fear in me.
Track your progress.
For those who enjoy the encouragement of a tracker, it does that for you at the end of each pause. You can also check this at any time under your account icon. There, it includes a color-marked calendar of the last four weeks, with the option to view your full history.
Most importantly, your heart and mind will keep track as you replay these words over and over. Like personalizing and praying the scriptures, this added practice will allow your heart to lighten and your fears and worries to fade. You will be able give the people you love and the things weighing you down over to Jesus, kicking fear out of the driver’s seat. If only for a minute. And then a minute more. Doesn’t that sound worth a try? Download the app below.
Apple Store
Google Play
Ransomed Heart. (2021) One Minute Pause (Version 10.0.0) [Mobile application software]
Retrieved from Apple Store and Google Play
What other practices help you bring your fears, worries, and anxieties to God for relief? Share in the comments! It may help someone else.
Share to:
Read Part 1 in the series HERE if you missed it.
Read Part 2 in the series HERE if you missed it. (includes free printables)
Melissa. Daughter of God. Lover of Jesus. Wife to Andy. Mama to four fun-loving adult children, and two bonus sons. And now, Mia to TWINS. Embracer of brave. Why? Because in every doubt, in every broken cry, God is making me whole again. Join me?
