Don’t Overthink It
All the different questions were going through my head.
How am I going to get it done?
What do I say?
How do I approach the topic?
Can I even do this? The expectations are so high.
I feel so incapable.
Then I glanced down at the new clean pages of the scrap book that I had bought, and these words were emblazoned on the edge of the cover.
“Don’t overthink it.”
Oh God you have a great sense of humour! God can talk to us through anything if we have ears to hear, eyes to see.
I was overthinking it all.
How many of you does this happen to? Where we have a constant struggle of thinking we can’t do it. And I’m not even a perfectionist! I can overthink my words and actions, my ability. Sometimes at the end of a day I analyze every little thing. Not all the time but every now and again. This can stop me moving forward in what God has for me, in what ability I do have that can be improved.
I’ve sometimes held back due to my thoughts getting the best of me. Me comparing myself to others who can do or seem to do it so much better.
I am not alone in this.
STOP.
Take control of your thoughts.
God does not compare me to anyone else. God does not compare my journey with Him to anyone else. He calls me on, draws me to Himself and shows me the plans He has for me.
God knows our heart, our attitudes, our thoughts. He alone can convict us or soothe our thoughts to be from God.
Colossians 3:2 states
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on this earth….
Colossians 3:2 NRSV
Jesus tells us many times in the New Testament – Do NOT Worry or be anxious. When you are tempted to fall into overthinking, to worry, direct your thoughts to God’s way instead.
Do not worry, do not say, what are we to eat…. To drink…. Clothes to put on… Can your worry add a single moment to your life?….
Matthew 6:25 NRSV
Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think….
Romans 12:2 NLT
And finally,
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable.
Philippians 4:8 NLT
So, forge on. Give your thoughts to the Lord and trust in His direction for your life, for your circumstances, for the project you may have on.
So, I took a deep breath and started writing and praying about the writing that I was trying to do. I gave my efforts totally to the Lord and asked Him to put the words on the page for me, to speak the words He wanted people to hear. I’ll tell you how I go.
So, remember when we live with and in the Lord, He brings peace to all situations. Let Him direct your thoughts toward His will instead of your concerns.
Where do you need to STOP overthinking?
May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’
Love
Rosemary
Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups. If you would like more information please click HERE.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Do you find it difficult to get control of your thoughts?
How easily do you begin to worry? What do you usually do about your worry?
When you do overthink what can you do to ask God to direct your thoughts?
10 Comments
Susan Breiding
Thank you for this Rosemary. I intend to copy it to refer to often. I overthink absolutely everything. Mostly how what I say and do will be perceived by others. I am working on it. I appreciate you and am blessed by finding this Ministry it has been life changing for me. Please come to U S soon!
Kim Desserre
Dear Rosemary, I really appreciate your Jottings from your journal! I have listened to daily devotions from Bruce and your Heart ministry. I have received many blessings from all of them, but I think the Jottings are my favourite!
Valerie Lack
Dear Rosemary,
The answer to your first question, is Yes! Always. Now, in my eighteenth year, I can most of the time, give the worry to GOD. Trust that he will perfectly take care of those I worry about.
The second question. I worry very quickly and usually about family, world events and national problems, much like every other mother or woman that I know..
The third question. I just pray very hard until the overthinking stops.
Bob and I both have Covid at present. This is day-four for ma and day five for Bob, it has been harder for me to focus on prayer, than it usually is.
My faith journey has always been difficult. I am grateful to GOD, for making it possible for me to watch and listen to Bruce every day. Also to read your wise words.
Love to you both
Val
Kathy Haman
This overthinking really spoke to me and as I read it I could really relate. One of my friends tells me this repeatedly. I definitely need to keep this for future reference. Thank you, Rosemary!
Vicki Brown
Thank you for your “ jottings” They inspire me to jot my thoughts to help clear my mind in order to make room for “ God thoughts”. Overthinking is my challenge daily.
Vicki ( Nova Scotia)
Joyce Fung
Rosemary, this is exactly what I need! I am always overthinking about everything and everyone, can’t seem to quiet my mind! I want to take your advice and try to do what you suggest, thank you 🙏
Vivienne
Thank you again Rosemary. All the other comments are as my own. Once a Mother/woman always one. I thank our gracious God for the way he has made us. He alone knows what we are like. Blessings for you. 🌷🕊🙏
Gaylynn Blancett
Wow! This hit home for me. I’m constantly being distracted by my over thinking. By the end of the day, not much has been accomplished. I need to stop and turn my thought to Jesus. Thank you for your great insight.
To Val and Bob, I send prayers for a fast recovery from Covid. May God Bless you.
Valerie Simms
Thank you Rosemary for jotting down in your Journal concerning overthinking! Yes this overthinking has been with me for a long time! But the Lord continues to remind me through the Sacred Scriptures not to worry and to come to Him with my heavy burdens and cast my cares to Him. Whenever I do what the Lord says the burden is lifted, the worries are not so overwhelming and I am reassured that God cares for me. Recently I discovered a pamphlet that I had kept at home for ages that I hadn’t read. So I decided to read it. Entitled The Surrender Prayer, Words of Jesus given to Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo. This novena is all about surrendering all of our cares, worries, concerns for ourselves and our loved ones, our circumstances, our health, the health of our loved ones, the future all to Jesus our Lord. To ask our Lord to take care of everything! Reading and praying this novena came at a very timely stage in my life! Yes! I find it surprising how and when the Lord will let us know to come to Him with our overthinking, and to let go and surrender all into His Loving Care! May the Lord continue to bless you Rosemary and to inspire you and Bruce too!
Maureen Green
Dear Rosemary,
Everything I was about to say has already been said.
As usual, I have been worrying myself silly over a situation that I find myself in. Your words have come at the perfect time. I shall hand over to the Lord and let him take care of it. I thank God daily for finding you and Bruce.
God Bless you.