Cause of Overthinking
The Bible includes a wealth of literature and stories that suggest overthinking is an issue even in ancient times. Some attribute the cause of overthinking to fear, worry, and anxiety, while other recognize the role of suffering and anguish in playing a role in overthinking. But is overthinking an issue in the eyes of Bible?
The Bible backs up the idea of too much worrying leading to overthinking and offers practical advice as to how one should approach such issues. Consider the parable of the rich fool who was so focused on hoarding his possessions that he forgot to consider his own death or the impending afterlife (Luke 12:15-21). This is an example of how too much worrying can lead to one possibly overthinking a situation.
Fear of the unknown also contributes to overthinking. In Luke 12:32-44, Jesus spoke of the fact that worrying too much and being overly anxious lead to a reluctance to embark on a new adventure, which in turn can lead to one overthinking. This particular verse from the Bible reiterates the fact that being excessively fearful or skeptical of the future can be a catalyst for overthinking.
The Bible also links overthinking to a lack of faith. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, for example, the Apostle Paul reminds us that a lack of trust in God can lead to overthinking negative scenarios and predicting bleak outcomes.
Biblical Solutions to Overthinking
The Bible holds countless solutions to help those struggling with overthinking. To start, Paul encourages Christians to “be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6). This reminder serves to acknowledge all our worries, while encouraging us to stay calm and, in the process, manage our overthinking. Ultimately, we are called to place our trust in the Lord and be obedient to Him.
In addition, the Bible holds that prayer is a great source of comfort and encourages us to talk to God when faced with worrisome issues. Philippians 4:6-7 makes clear that prayer and petition should be applied when faced with overthinking.
Being present in the moment also helps to prevent overthinking. In Genesis 12:4-5, for example, Abraham had to leave his family and homeland without a plan for the future. Here, God tells Abraham to simply take action and trust Him, despite him not knowing what the future holds. This particular message from the Bible encourages us to be present in the moment and trust God with unpleasant surprises which can help to fend off overthinking.
Finally, the Bible calls us to develop our faith. Hebrews 11:1-2 reminds us that faith is a crucial factor in developing a trusting relationship with God and without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Through faith, we can overcome our fears, reduce our worries, and ultimately control our overthinking.
The Power of Wisdom
The Bible offers plenty of wisdom when it comes to battling overthinking. Proverbs 4:5-7, calls on us to ‘gain insight and understanding’, while Proverbs 3: 5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord completely and lean not on our own understanding. In other words, the Bible calls us to seek wisdom and to depend on God and his word to help us make decisions.
In addition, Proverbs 25: 28 encourages us to remain truthful and not give into anxiety and fear. Similarly, Ecclesiastes 7:9 provides some sound advice when it comes to overthinking, calling on us to ‘forget our troubles’. In other words, the Bible advises us to rely upon the truth rather than worrying too much.
Finally, Proverbs 26:17 advises us to not meddle in someone else’s business. We often find ourselves worrying about things that aren’t our own, but the Bible holds that this is in vain, and it only leads to overthinking.
Turning to Jesus
In the midst of our overthinking, the Bible calls us to turn to Jesus. Psalm 16:8 and Hebrews 7:25 highlight the Lord’s mercy and faithfulness in the face of any challenge including overthinking. Psalm 46:1-3 further provides us with a reminder that Being with Christ can provide peace and comfort even when faced with oppressive worry.
The Bible also encourages us to focus on the here and now and to remember the vastness of God’s love. Romans 8:35-39 serves to remind us that God’s love is deeper than the depths of our worries and to trust God, despite our worries and overthinking.
Finally, we can look to Jesus as a prime example of how to respond in the face of overwhelming situations. In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus effortlessly manages a major storm, as he encourages his disciples to calm their worrying and instead trust in himself and God. Jesus serves to demonstrate the power of faith, offering up an example of trusting God in the face of overthinking.
Adherence to the Word
The Bible encourages us to trust in the Lord and to lean on him, despite our worries and overthinking. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus reminds us not to worry and to instead place our trust in the Lord’s knowledge and power. Similarly, Ecclesiastes 4:9 reminds us to not worry about our future and to instead seek the counsel of others and trust in the power of God.
The Bible, moreover, encourages us to meditate on the goodness of God, rather than focusing on our worries. Psalm 103:1-5 recounts the infinite goodness of God, offering up a powerful reminder that focusing on God’s love is infinitely better than worrying.
Finally, Jeremiah 29:11 calls on us to trust in the plans of the Lord, rather than worrying and overthinking scenarios. The Scriptures further encourage us to pray and to be obedient to the Lord and his plans. In turn, we can benefit the peace and serenity of trusting in a greater power.
Practical Application
When it comes to overthinking and finding wisdom on the topic, the Bible has a lot to offer. Most importantly, the Bible calls on us to be obedient to the Lord and embody a faithful attitude. This can manifest itself in many forms and instances, from having faith in God’s understanding to praying for calmness in a situation.
The Bible further encourages us to focus on the present, remind ourselves of God’s goodness, pray and meditate, and be devoted to the Lord. Often, we feel the need to overthink or control situations, when in reality the key to staying in peace is to trust in the Lord.
In addition, the Bible encourages us to turn to Jesus for relief from overthinking. Jesus serves to provide a steadying model of faith and serves to remind us that God’s plans are reliable, despite our worries. Ultimately, we can find peace through adherence to the Bible and by turning to Jesus in times of worry.
Identifying the Root of Worry
The Bible calls on us to identify the root of our worries in order to be able to move past them. In Joshua 1:9, God calls on Joshua to persevere if he is going to succeed, while Hezekiah’s prayer in Isaiah 38:17-20 emphasizes that one should have the courage to confront their worries, instead of running away from them.
In addition, the Bible reminds us to take action when faced with worrying situations. Proverbs 16:9 makes it clear that blessing comes from taking action rather than relying on our own understanding. In other words, the Bible calls us to make a decision, however small or large, and trust that God is with us despite our worries.
The Bible further reminds us to be present for others, despite our own worries. James 5:16 emphasizes the need for Christians to help one another, as a way to not only combat their own worries, but also to bolster the spirit of another. Ultimately, being open with one another can help develop strength and courage in the face of one’s worries.
Resisting Temptation
Scripture also calls us to resist temptation when it comes to overthinking. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus resisted the devil through faith and trust in the Lord. This serves to remind us that we should not give in to our worries, but rather look to the Lord and reject any temptation brought forth by our overthinking.
The Bible also backs up the idea of counting our blessings, as a way to fight against overthinking. In Romans 8:31, for example, believers are reminded to “rejoice evermore” and be grateful for what they have, even when faced with challenging and worrying situations.
Finally, the Bible encourages us to rely on God, regardless of our worries or concerns. Luke 12:22-34 focuses on the idea of counting our blessings and trusting in God, even when faced with difficult times. As such, the Bible calls us to not let overthinking consume us, but to instead take comfort in the promises of God.
Living with Hope
The Bible is filled with stories of hope, many of which can help in the battle against overthinking. Jeremiah 29:11 serves to remind us that God has plans for us and that none of our worrying can thwart that. Romans 15:13 further makes clear that joy and hope can be taken away from any worrisome situation, if we turn to the Lord.
The Bible also calls on us to look to the future with hope. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus calls us to have trust in the future and to reject worrying. Here, He reminds us that our big plans are small in comparison to God’s plans, ultimately empowering us to trust in the Lord, despite difficult times.
Conclusion
When it comes to worrying and overthinking, the Bible offers a wealth of wisdom and insight. Through the words of Jesus, the encouragement from Paul, and stories from the Old Testament, Christians are presented with a deep source of solace and strength in the face of worries and overthinking.
Ultimately, the Bible calls on us to trust in the Lord and to place our faith in Him. Through His promises, we can rest assured that He will take care of us, even in the most trying of times. We can thus turn to Jesus and the Bible for hope and be confident that God will carry us through.
