Are you OK? If you’re worried right now, chances are, you’re not. While it’s true we’ve all had moments of worry, it gets out of hand when we’re on edge. We know worry is a destructive force in our lives when just about 30% of the things we tend to stress about have already passed. Like a thief, it wants to rob us, and people around us, of peace, joy and rest. It’s time to take worry for what it is—toxic thinking—and to battle against it. Here are a few keys to conquering worry:

Focus on God’s Faithfulness

Focus more on the good that God has done and less on the problems that come up. What are you grateful for? A supportive community? A job that provides for your family? Your health? There’s so much to be thankful for yet worry causes us to forget the obstacles we’ve overcome. When we choose to focus on God’s faithfulness, our anxious hearts are immediately calmed.

Dismiss Doubt

At its core, being worried is a sign of uncertainty. Worry is encased in a shell of doubt and doubt is encased in uncertainty. Uncertainty takes root in our identity. The way to dismiss insecurity is by knowing our worth and having the right beliefs about ourselves and God’s plans for us. We can find the truth about our identity in what the Word of God says. The Bible says the hairs on our head are numbered. Therefore, we are highly valued by God. And because we’re valued, we’re thought of and sought after by the Creator of the universe. All feelings of uncertainty and doubt must leave because we’re wanted by our God.

Move with Mission

We may not have a perfect life, but we have a purposed life. No matter how much worry we deal with there’s a special purpose preordained for us. Almost instantaneously, as we focus on our purpose, we worry less. Whether it’s being a custodian, barber, teacher or stay-at-home parent, our role carrying out God’s call matters. By staying on mission, we quiet the storm that rages within and, consequently, quiet storms in the lives of others.Let’s live our lives to the fullness that God intended, not allowing the headache of worry take away our joy. Resetting our focus, dismissing doubt and moving with purpose will allow us to win the war against worry.