I grew up checking the oven to make sure it was off at least 2 or 3 times every week before going to bed. I worried that it may have been kept on and the house would explode. For a while I wasn't really into swimming indoors because dang what if the roof collapsed and we all drowned. That would suck. I eventually got over that one.I like to say that I've gotten better about reducing this worry type of mind set, where if I'm not worrying about something I'll find something to worry about. I think I'm getting better at it.
But every once in a while, I think, well hey maybe that's the way I'm wired. God wired some people to take things in stride, and other people to worry about stuff and perpetually over-analyze the crap out of everything and get trapped and be paralyzed by their mind.
Then truth kicks in and I realize that this is a lie from the pit of hell. No one is wired to worry. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Gen. 1:27). Since I am created in the image of God, and God is not a worrier, then I wasn't created to worry. Right?
So the challenge I am learning is having a complete paradigm shift in my mind, because the more I worry the less I trust God. So my life goal as of late is to change my mind, and a big part of doing this is self-discipline. If I start to worry about something, then I can choose to STOP and pray about it. I'm finding this tough as nails to accomplish, but I'm stoked about where I will be a year from now in this area of my life. I pursue and hope in anticipation.
