What if the Best Case Scenario happened?

Sleepless nights?

Heart filled with worry?

Do you often feel like there is no possible answer for your struggles?

It's easy to get into the habit of letting our brains always go to the worst-case scenario. 

Maybe you'll relate to one of my own stories.

I remember so many times through my life where my husband would not be home from work at the time that I expected, and my mind would immediately start to spin out in worry and concern for his safety.    Did he get in an accident?  Is he injured too much to call me?   Which hospital should I call first?  What if he passes and I never get to say goodbye?  How would I continue on without him and how would I pay the bills?

And then within minutes... he walks through the door.   No accident, no hospital, no sudden death experience.

When our brains go to this worst-case scenario.  It not only causes us to experience anxiety for that time, but science is now showing that worry affects our bodies chemistry, and eventually our overall health.  I love how the Bible supports this  “As a man thinks in his heart so he is” (Proverbs 23:7).

And even more, when we allow ourselves to go to the place of worry we are turning away from trusting God. 

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to retrain your brain to trust God more and let go.

First and foremost is important to recognize the signs of negative thought patterns: they usually involve heightened levels of stress or worry over situations that have little chance of actually happening. Negative thoughts tend to amplify our fears by creating what-if scenarios based on exaggerated assumptions.  The more you notice this is your mind's habit, the better your ability to change.

The next step is to allow yourself some grace.  No need to judge yourself or tell yourself you should know better, or be doing better, or worse.   Just give yourself some grace.    "It's ok that my brain went to worry so fast".

And then it comes to turning to a view of higher faith.  Maybe a little prayer, and letting go and trusting that God has a plan that can turn it all over to Him and let go.  “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5)

It’s important to change the focus from the worst-case scenario to the best case scenario and focus on trusting God’s plan instead. Prayer is essential here as it allows us to release our anxieties into His capable hands and also opens us up for His direction. One way to start practicing this is by making a conscious effort each day – even if only for a few moments – to consciously acknowledge Him as your source of comfort and strength; surrendering all worries you may have about current circumstances or future outcomes.

Another step towards trusting God more is to take notice of when you do start to spin out in your mind, and stop.  Either just change what you are focusing on in your mind, or get up and go for a walk.  Often, as we do something physical it can help move from being stuck.   

You can also set new rules for yourself. What you will allow yourself to think about.   And when you notice that it's not going in a good direction, change your thoughts.

And then start developing better habits each day by asking yourself "what's possible"?  What if the best-cased scenario happened instead?

Using my personal example above, it might look like this:  What if he is buying me flowers?  What if his boss pulled him aside to give him a raise?  What if he just put money down on a surprise dream vacation for us?   These seem out there, maybe, but isn't this a more faith filled mindset than fear?

Asking yourself this over and over will help your mind start to develop new and better patterns that will relieve you of the worry, and keep you in a state of faith.

By making a conscious effort each day - even if only for a few moments -to actively practice trusting God more we create new pathways within our brains that lead away from fear towards faith; allowing us not only access His promises but also better equip ourselves with courage should any future storms arise along our journey ahead.