Worry. We all know it zaps our energy, creativity, and resourcefulness, but we often feel helpless to do anything about it. Without taking action, however, worry can grow into an all consuming fog of anxiety and fear.
Personally, I’ve seen triggers that cause me to worry. There are certain situations in my business, for example, that whenever they come up, worry seems to set in like a plague. I get super negative and think worst case scenario – almost immediately.
Thankfully, I have a new practice that has been making a big difference.
A worry box
As I was talking through some of my worry struggles with my wife, Claudia, she said, “You should use my worry box.”
I said, “Huh? What’s your worry box?”
She went on to explain that her worry box is a small box that she made. Whenever she finds herself worrying, she writes the worry down on a 3×5 card and puts it in the box. As she does this, she says a little prayer, and then decides not to worry about it any longer. If the worry pops back up, she repeats the process.
To be honest, at first I thought it seemed a little silly. But then I thought, what do I have to lose? I’ll give it a try.
Well, I must tell you, I love it and it has really been helping me not to worry. As I thought through why that is, I boiled it down to 3 reasons:
1. Naming the worry – Writing the worry down on the 3×5 card helps me identify what exactly I’m worried about, which helps me let it go.
2. The symbolism – Physically seeing the worry go in the box and then putting the top back on creates a great visual for containing it and letting it go.
3. The decision – After the box top is back on, the decision not to worry about it any longer is very powerful. If the worry pops back up, I remember that I put that specific worry in the box and I’m not going to dwell on it any more.
Make your own worry box
Find yourself struggling with worry? Make your own worry box and give it a try.
All you have to do is find a small box with a lid. Wrap it in paper or decorate it, if you want. Then, put a meaningful quote or Bible verse on the front of it. I used the following:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Our worry is going to grow until we do something about it. Give the worry a box to dwell in and put a lid on it before it gets out of hand.
Do you have another strategy for banishing worry that works well? I’d love to hear it. Share it in the comments below.
Love this Michael – leave it to Claudia to be so creative! I use a type of worry journal exercise – casting your cares – with clients when this is an issue – same basic principles – get them out of your head and onto paper and then when they pop up again see you have already given them to God!
Love it, Ann! Thanks for sharing.
Hello,
Like this great idea. But I feel another scripture would be Cast all your cares upon the Lord because He cares for you. Sometimes we need to do this minute by minute. But you do feel a lot
lighter when you do this at all times. Thanks, God Bless, Sharlotte
That one would be perfect, Sharlotte. Thanks!
I love this idea, MIchael (and Claudia)! I’m not typically a worrier, but still a great idea! Ask Ashely…I’ve been known on many occasions to quote Zig Ziglar…”Wait to worry!”
Love it, Ryan. Wait to worry!
I prefer worry dolls, especially for the kids. You can make little clothespin people and then you tell them your worries and they worry about it for you 😉
Babbs, cool idea. Never heard of it before. Thanks for sharing!