2 Corinthians 10:5: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Merriam Webster defines overthinking as, “to think too much about (something); to put too much time into thinking about or analyzing (something) in a way that is more harmful than helpful”. Psychology today reports 73% of people struggle with overthinking. With roughly 8 billion people populating the world, that’s a large number.
Statistics prove that many of us struggle with overthinking. It wasn’t until I had a hard-hitting experience (explained shortly) that I realized I was stuck in the cycle of overthinking. And let’s be real, overthinking is just the watered-down terminology for worrying. Worrying is the exact opposite of what Jesus told us to do. James 4:17 says, “ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” Ouch. I had become so comfortable with overthinking, considering it part of my personality or just a normal part of society, that I didn’t realize I was allowing myself to perpetually sin.
Overthinking causes pain, not just to us, but to our loving Father too. He cares for all the needs we have both seen and unseen by us. He provides for all our necessities, when in seasons of want or plenty- He has a plan through it all. He sees the good He wants to bestow, and our worrying doubts all of these promises.
Our worry tells God, I don’t trust you to care for me, I don’t trust you to provide for me, and I don’t trust you to bless me. I know better, and I will achieve more by being stuck inside my own head. Like I said, no wins in worrying.
Now, for the promised hard-hitting experience. I have begun jogging again, and I am so thankful for the healing God has given my body to be able to do that again! (Seriously, praise His holy name!)
I had been praying over a situation, hard. I had received the answer, but my flesh didn’t know how to accept that answer and wait patiently for confirmation. The waiting is always so hard for me. While I had several days of “silence” prior to the confirmation part, I began to think over and overthink the situation. I got stuck in the destructive cycle of overthinking or better termed worrying.
I was jogging a long, uneven, pothole ridden, and grooved gravel road. It was laden with newly fallen walnuts and old broken husks. Pears, muddy stretches and large rocks were added perils. This jogging time is usually a wonderful time for me to relax, push myself past limits, and either listen to the Bible app or praise music. I often pray during this time.
As probably supposed by now, this time was the exception. I was so worked up that the logical part of my brain that usually watches my immediate path to course-correct wasn’t engaged. I was so far into my overthinking that I thought I could use my phone to search the internet (while running!) to find or confirm my answer.
Thankfully I had stopped looking at my phone, but I still wasn’t paying attention. On a particularly precarious patch, I stumbled, my left foot buckled, tucked under me, and I fell with all my weight, full force and landed squarely on my right knee.
The pain was immediate and jarring. It hurt so bad, and I was so surprised that all I could do was freeze and mentally recalculate to adjust to the present situation. All overthinking vanished as I took assessment of my injuries.
In the moments that felt like time stood still, I slowly maneuvered to a sitting position with both legs stretched in front of me. The right kneecap was crowned a deep purple gouge, gaping and bleeding, and several shallower cuts above it. I could feel the left foot bruised as well and throbbing.
Once I regained composure, I stood up and slowly finished my walk with newfound surrender and humble acceptance of the wait. It surely wasn’t lost on me, the connection between overthinking and pain. I think this was something God allowed to happen to catch my attention in a big way. Every time I pass that spot on the gravel lane, which I still jog on today, I remember this experience and how God called my mind back to Him and His words of truth. Don’t worry, trust, He will provide, His timing is perfect, He cares for me, His love goes beyond comprehension.
I can’t add a day to my life, an inch to my height, or a hair to my head by worrying. But I can add heartache and pain to my life by worrying.
Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
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