My name is Carrie and I’m guilty of overthinking.
(Whew. It feels better to just admit it.)
Yes, if not put in check, I will overthink a situation to death, drafting fifty-‘leven combinations on what could happen and when.
And don’t let it be a matter of the heart. (Sheesh.) If left to my own understanding, I will think of every scenario, possibility, and outcome even though absolutely nothing has happened. The person doesn’t know I’m mad, yet I will have a full-blown non-existent conversation about what I would say. Or I may not have even met the guy but will have our first date planned out before I even say hi. (I know I’m not out here by myself ya’ll.)
I’m not proud of it. And I’m very aware it serves no purpose.
I was gleaning wisdom from a dear mature woman of God and sharing my dating, or lack thereof, woes. I explained that when I pray, I tend to mull over how the situation could have played out had I said something different, made a different move or didn’t say anything at all. I’ll ruminate about the specifics and let my thoughts run rampant.
She looked at me plainly and said, “You don’t trust God.”
(Cue record scratching sound here.)
I shook my head and reasoned inwardly. No, that couldn’t be it. I love Jesus. I pray. I read my Bible. I have faith that He’ll do what He said He would do. Having faith means I trust Him . . . right?
Not quite. You can have faith in Him while simultaneously not trusting Him to do it the way that He wants it to be done. It’s like telling God, “I have faith IF you do it my way.”
Proverbs 3: 5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.” (GNT)
If I’m trusting in the Lord with all my heart, I’m not relying on my mind, my expectations, or my preference of how things turn out. Overthinking, worrying, being anxious about anything means I am still leaning to my own understanding versus trusting the Lord to do what He does best.
Overthinking is simply a result of trying to control the outcome and trusting our way over His. But Isaiah 55:8 says His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. It’s almost a guarantee that how God is going to do something is completely opposite of how you would do it. So, thinking about it nonstop is not going to change it or bring you the peace He desires you to have. My pastor said it best about how trusting God means we believe, trust and rest in Him.
That rest comes from knowing God is so purposeful about everything He says and does. Trusting Him with your whole heart means that your actions, thoughts, and speech aligns with that trust. Our heart is the seat of our emotions and if we don’t completely dedicate our heart to trusting and believing in God, select emotions can run amuck. Worry will lead to anxiety which could lead to discontentment which could lead to envy and it only goes farther downhill.
However, when we submit our pride and self-righteousness by admitting that we don’t know more or better than He does, we get in a position for Him to do His best work.
So, how do we stop overthinking?
Instead of letting our minds wander, we have the authority to take every thought captive and bring it under submission to the Holy Spirit. If you start fretting about how something will happen or when it will take place, turn to His word and remember His promise about having plans to prosper you and not to harm you. When you become fearful concerning an outcome, His word reminds you that you are His masterpiece and He planned good works for you to perform a long time ago.
If you are worrying about that job, that family member, that illness, that wayward child or that financial burden, cast your cares on Him and make your worries known to him through prayer and supplication. Nothing is impossible for God. Take the time and tell Him where you need help. It’s perfectly fine to be 100% dependent on Jesus. That is what He prefers.
Once you lay your burdens at His feet, allow yourself to rest in the fact that the God of the universe is on it. He created the earth, so He can certainly solve any dilemma you face. Release your expectations about how you think it should go and continually submit your thoughts and concerns to God. He’s so good, He’ll even give you wisdom and peace while you navigate the waiting time.
Trusting in God is a special gift. It trumps overthinking any time.
My name is Carrie and I trust God with all my heart.
