How to Find Peace Instead of Expecting the Worst

Inside: It’s easy to feel like everything is a crisis these days, but there is a better way of living. Counteract the worst-case scenario mindset with these helpful ways of thinking and responding. ~

When we visited Yellowstone National Park last summer, we stayed at a vacation rental in Idaho, about an hour and a half from the park.

On our daily trips to and from Yellowstone, we had to navigate a bumpy gravel road for about 30 minutes. It was intermittently wet and rainy while we were there, so in addition to all the dust from the road, we also drove through mud and tried to avoid big puddles.

After we returned home, I noticed a vibration in the back end of my car. It was only four years old, and we’d never had a problem with it before.

Now, though, anytime I drove between 50 and 70 miles an hour, the entire vehicle shook.

What in the World?

I put up with this annoyance for a few months, then took the car to our usual tire chain/repair shop. They balanced the tires and sent me home, but the car still shook.

When I brought it back again, they did the same thing, with the same result.

A neighbor recommended a local mechanic, and Randy eventually made an appointment. In the meantime, my mind got to work.

We hit a big bump on the road to Yellowstone once; maybe it had damaged the rear axles or some other part that required thousands of dollars to repair.

I wanted to hope for a simple fix, but from the get-go, I couldn’t help but expect the worst.

Everything is a Crisis

Does that remind you of our world these days? Everything is a crisis. Everything is overwhelming.

Everyone is out to get us, to hurt us, to beat us to the next red light.

This happens personally, nationally and on the world stage. At every level, it’s exhausting, unhealthy and—dare I say it—often unnecessary.

Sometimes the Worst Does Happen

I’m not saying the world isn’t hard and getting harder, that it’s not dark and getting darker.

There are plenty of times when the worst does happen, suddenly or gradually. In situations like these, we need God’s strength, comfort, wisdom and help. He has an abundance supply of all this and much, much more.

Other times, though—especially when we are not directly involved in either the problem or the solution—we would do well to simmer down (as Randy is fond of saying).

Take a Deep Breath

We don’t have to automatically assume the worst. We don’t have to go from zero to 100 in half a second.

When we suddenly notice we’re having trouble hearing, for example, we don’t have to jump straight to “a brain tumor is pushing on my ear canal.” We might just need to make an appointment with our audiologist, who just might tell us our hearing aids need to be adjusted.

(Did this scenario actually happen? I’ll let you decide.)

A Better Approach

So how do we get ourselves out of the worst-case-scenario mindset? Is it possible to counteract all the real and imagined crises with more helpful ways of thinking or behaving?

I think so.

Maybe we begin by giving other people the benefit of the doubt. Not borrowing trouble before trouble is confirmed. Focusing on today and letting tomorrow worry about itself.

Digging down a little deeper, perhaps we make an intentional effort to think about and pray for other people’s problems, not just our own. Even for those with whom we disagree, that it may go well with them and that they would come across people who can point them to Christ.

Seek Out Older People

Finally, no matter how old we are, we can all benefit from the life experience and wisdom of godly people who are further down the road than we are. I’m talking about spending time with people who are older than we are—15, 20 or 30 years older.

Parents, if we still have them, or even grandparents. Aunts and uncles, older mentors and friends from church. They often have a way of putting things in perspective that only comes with age and a lifetime of walking with Jesus. (Honestly, 30 minutes with my 81-year-old friend Mary or my 92-year-old Aunt Renate might be the best therapy anyone could ask for.)

If we happen find ourselves on the older end of the age scale (and by that I mean over 50), let’s pray for opportunities to share our stories and practical wisdom with the younger generations in our lives. We are all still needed, especially face-to-face, whether social media makes us feel like it or not.

We can gently help others remember that not everything is the end of the world, while at the same time reminding ourselves. It’s a win-win, right?

What About My Car?

Speaking of wins, if you’re wondering what happened with my shaky car, I have good news.

Turns out, the wheels were so tightly packed with gravel and dirt that it was throwing the whole driving experience out of whack. I don’t know how the tire technicians missed this during two complete tire balances, but they did.

The local mechanic’s shop cleaned the road debris out of all four wheels, and the car was as good as new. All for less than $150.

It wasn’t the end of the world after all.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.