I woke up this morning with something on my mind. A social interaction gone bad. I even felt a small sense of anxiety over the entire thing as I replayed potential scenarios. The more I thought about it the worst I felt. Wanna hear the crazy part? This was a situation that hadn’t even happened. It likely wouldn’t even happen. I mean, I guess it could, and the thoughts of the what-if maybes were the ones that kept me up at night.
I was the kind of over-thinker who replayed confrontation for hours. Recently a coworker had said something demeaning to me over the phone. When he later appeared in my presence I averted eye contact and said nothing. So, naturally, for the next hour after he left my floor I made up conversations in my head. In these convos I was the witty, quick-thinking gal who stood up for herself. I knew she was in there somewhere. I just had trouble finding her outside my mind.
At least with the above scenario an actual incident had occurred, but in the one this morning it hadn’t. It was a problem I imagined, one I concocted. I guess I didn’t have enough problems to deal with in reality; I also had to invent possible problematic situations. I suppose it was my contingency plan. In reality I knew, though, that I suffered from over-thinking. I would mull over a negative occurrence for forever, and the possible, it might just happen, negative incidents almost just as long.
This morning as I prayed about it the Lord spoke clearly and strongly to my heart, and if you’re an over-thinker too then these words are probably for you too.
You need to see these thoughts for what they are. They’re not a curse you’re stuck with, or just the way it is. You need to recognize them for what they really are.
Distractions.
They’re distractions from the enemy to take your eyes off my purpose for your life. I have a plan for you, one that I am working out as we speak. You may cannot see what I am doing, but I am laying the groundwork behind the scenes right now. The Devil would choose to take your eyes off my purposes. You are already walking in the plan I have for you, but Satan would work to make you immobile, to keep you so focused on the distractions he places in your way, that you stop moving forward with me.
Don’t look to the left, and don’t look to the right. Like the blinders a horse wears I need you to be steadfastly focused straight ahead on my face. That’s where truth lies, and truth always sheds light on distraction for what it truly is.
Whether it’s overthinking a confrontation, regretting past mistakes, dwelling endlessly on a situation, or worrying about one that may happen, I realize that when I am fixated, or my mind is spinning haphazardly, I’m missing an opportunity to hear God and do His will. So here’s to looking straight ahead.
Dave says
Overthinking must be why I’m awake at 2am staring at my computer! I thrash over scenarios, mostly with people, a lots and and many of those people are family! To see how much I write you would think I would be a big talker which I’m not! Not being a big loud talker seems to make people at church or at social events shun me thinking (I assume) I’m unfriendly but I’m really not! Having had to compete with so many loud & aggressive peopIe in my job at Disney, I have decided in retirement that I just don’t want to compete anymore with anyone loud and who won’t take the time to listen to what I have to say! I get tired of trying to be heard so I just shut down! Then I tend to imagine that they don’t like me and go over endless scenarios of what they think of me & what I should go back to them and say! I do the same thing as you with the co-worker forming those conversations in my mind about people who seemingly avoid me or say something I take as abrasive! I spent over half of my 27 years at Disney World as a manager & had to make myself become someone I’m not naturally many times with some people in order to be heard especially amongst so many who had come to Disney to push their way up the corporate ladder saying and doing anything they could to succeed! It was only by the grace of a loving God who heard the prayers of my praying wife who sent people my way that showed me favor helping me to succeed in the shark tank of the corporate world! Having a tradesman background I would sometimes have someone in a position or positions above me ask me to do some work at their homes! The difference between them at work and at home was amazing! It seems they left their corporate personality of loud and in command at the guard shack as they left Disney and put on this soft spoken and compassionate persona at home so I guess I wasn’t the only one who did the chameleon quick change for work! But, what you write is so true of me! I let the distractions I form in my mind of situations with people, whether they be true or made up, take my focus off of the One who is holy and pure and wants good for me and the way I live the life He has given me! Wonderful wonderful “piece” about how to experience the “peace” of God Brie! This was for me! Thank you!!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you. So glad this post touched you personally. It sounds like we have a lot in common!
Dave says
Yes, I could of easily been you in the situation with the coworker as I have had that reaction many times! Our youngest daughter reacts in much the same way as she and I have had conversations about it! Good to find people to share experiences with who understand these scenarios!
Lisa Pierce says
Well said my friend!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you!