Psalm 148:13 “Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven.”

The year 2020 has been a year of increased anxiety for many people. We live in stressful times anyway, but soon after this year made its grand entrance the pressures only increased. COVID restrictions, unfamiliar work, and social conditions are only a few of the abnormal circumstances we’ve navigated. All of this, melded together with fear of the unknown, lends itself to sleepless nights, tension headaches, high blood pressure, and a general feeling of unease. But late one night as I tossed and turned, my head swirling like a tornado, I suddenly realized a good way to respond to anxiety.  

Many of our contemplations pertain to two trains of thought. The first relates to “what if” questions. What if this happens? Most, if not all, of these ideas are only speculation, but once a person allows her mind to board that train, the panicky thoughts come faster and faster until they work themselves into a tizzy. 

The next damaging train of thought has to do with “what was” reflections. “I wish it was like it was before.” “Maybe if I had done things differently we would be in a better place.” This mindset also causes consternation and adds to the swirl of emotions.

Once a person understands the trains of thought taking them on wild rides of anxiety, it’s time to get off by changing thought patterns and focusing on healthy and life-giving truth. Decide to concentrate on “what is” in your life. There are many things for which to be thankful and to praise God. Choose to fill your mind with these. 

Psalm 148 calls us to praise God. Part of praise is thankfulness. By thanking Him for “what is,” we diffuse the confusing torrent of “what ifs” and “what was” thoughts that produce anxiety. The Lord knows the future and has it under control. He also understands the past and walked with us through every circumstance. So there’s no point in second-guessing. It’s time to leave that behind. But “what is” is where one can find relief and peace. 

There’s no denying it, we live in a stressful world filled with many anxiety-inducing situations. So what train are you on? If you find yourself moving at tremendous speeds on the “What If” or the “What Was” Express, then disembark quickly. Refocus your thoughts on praising God. Soon you’ll find that gratitude for “what is” replaces uneasiness with peace. And that “What Is” thankfulness is the right train to get us where God wants us to go.