When Suffering from Anxious and Fearful thoughts.
- Nicholas Lim
- Sep 16, 2024
- 5 min read
As a devout Catholic, I try not to worry as Jesus calls us to cast our cares upon Him, and His providence have shown me often that He does take care of us.
Some of us might be more naturally prone to worry due to a melancholic temperament. Some of us are naturally more carefree and perhaps less inclined to ruminate over problems. I would say that I’m somewhere in the middle, but overall I’m learning not to overthink or worry about difficult situations and interactions with people that I can’t change, in the past, present or future. I always recall St. Job’s saying: “Thy will be done O Lord, Thy will be done. The Lord givest and the Lord takest away, blessed be the name of the Lord.”
A wise priest once told me that if you stay in the present, it’s a lot harder to worry as worries most often puts our minds in the past or the future.
We know that worry isn’t holy and healthy as we were taught. Worry doesn’t solve our problems and often affects our ability to pray and hear God’s voice, to sleep well, be kind as in charity, to those around us and so on. Sadly, our worries can escalate into more serious fear and anxiety, which can affect us and our families emotionally, physically and spiritually.
We truly need to “guard” our hearts and minds from things that steal our peace, which could be from the news, media or politics; family or work situation; it could also be from our mistakes or shortcomings. We can heed St. Paul’s call to give thanks for everything, good and bad, because it is permitted by God, and He will bring good out of it and/or strengthen us to bear it. Thus, we often say: “God’s Will be done.”
Knowing that if God doesn’t permit it “.. a hair of your head shall not perish.” Trusting that God cares about even our smallest worries, and giving in to His Holy Will to work in our hearts, can remove us from pernicious behavior of worry, fear and anxiety and to be strengthened by His grace enabling us to live in Christian joy amidst our difficulties.
St. Francis de Sales said,
“Do not look forward to the trials and crosses of this life with dread and fear. Rather, look to them with full confidence that as they arise, God, to whom you belong, will deliver you from them. He has guided and guarded you thus far in life. Do you but hold fast to his dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all trials. Whenever you cannot stand, he will carry you lovingly in his arms. Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same Eternal Father who cares for you today will take good care of you tomorrow and every day of your life. Either he will shield you from suffering or He will give you the unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all useless thoughts, vain dreads, and anxious imaginations.”
With reference to “imaginations” in St. Francis de Sales quote above; isn’t it true that we often let our imaginations run wild with “what-if” scenarios of all the things that could go wrong? If we really trust that God loves us and cares about every aspect of our lives, we can run to Him like little children (which we ought to) and talk to Him candidly, lovingly, heart-to-heart. We can give Him all of it with confidence and trust that He will respond.
To help us to replace our worry time, we ought to be praying, reading Scripture or books written by the Saints, which will help us to love God more and knowing His Will. Learning to love God, we will learn to live according to His will; through His grace, we will be able to change in how we address our problems and live our lives with more ease in the midst of life’s challenges.
As Catholic, we are called to choose God over worry. The following Scripture passages and quotes, give us the encouragement and strength:
Matthew 11:29-30, - “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” This also encourages us to visit Him, to present ourselves to Him, in the presence of the Blessed Eucharist.
Philippians 4:6-7, “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Padre Pio. - “Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” “Do not worry over things that generate preoccupation, derangement, and anxiety. One thing only is necessary: to lift up your spirit and love God.”
May we seek to be true prayer warriors, instead of worriers, trusting all of our troubles to Jesus and Mary.
The following are prayers that will help you:
Eternal Father, I come to You burdened with worries, fears, doubts and troubles. Calm and quiet me with peace of mind. Empty me of the anxiety that disturbs me, of the concerns that weary my spirit, and weigh heavy on my heart. Loosen my grip on the disappointments and grievances I hold on to. Sometimes it feels too much for me Lord, all that troubles me, my sadness, suffering, and stress. Prepare me to meet the constant struggles of daily life, strengthen me in mind, body and spirit as I put all my hope and trust in Thee. Amen.
“O Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.”
Amen.
"O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things."
Amen.
By Saint Ignatius of Loyola.
Prayer for a peaceful sleep that gives you strength in the morning
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. Lord Jesus receive my soul. Receive my soul, dear Jesus, into your holy keeping. Preserve it from all imaginings that may be displeasing to you. Grant that I may awaken in the morning refreshed, purified and strengthened—able and willing to labor to advance my own salvation and your merciful intentions in regard to myself, to others, and to you.
Amen.
St. Dymphna: Patron Saint of Stress, Anxiety and Mental Health.
Gentle St. Dymphna, patron of those suffering from anxiety, great wonder-worker in every affliction of mind and body, through your kind intercession may Christ restore my strength, hope, and peace of mind and heart.
I humbly implore your powerful intercession with Jesus through Mary, the Health of my mind,
in my present need. (Mention it.) Saint Dymphna, martyr of purity, patroness of those who suffer with nervous and mental afflictions, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray or me and obtain my request.
Amen.
(Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be.)
Saint Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.
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