I call this particular strategy, decatstrophizing the worst-case scenario. Trying to convince myself the “terrible” thing won’t happen has only limited effectiveness. Because, in this case, dying in a car accident could happen! If my peace is based on convincing myself it can’t, I’m not living in reality. That’s denial and avoidance.
The better approach is to go with the feared outcome. Ok, so what if the thing I fear does happen? Is it really that terrible? Is a better label more fitting? Even if the situation is unlikely, I can still say, “Even if it does happen, it won’t be that bad.”
5. TELL YOURSELF THE TRUTH
Very often, our labeling of situations is not consistent with the truth of God’s Word. Learning to identify the misbeliefs in our heart about feared situations and replace them with the truth of God’s Word is powerful. The Holy Spirit will help you, if you ask him to, identify the misbeliefs that are keeping you from having peace.
REFERENCES
- Stanley, R. (2002). Anxiety and its Disorders—The Nature and Treatment of Anxiety and Panic David H. Barlow (Editor), The Guilford Press, New York, 2002. No. of pages: 704 pp., ISBN 1‐57230‐430‐8. Stress and Health: Journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress, 18(4), 193-194. [1]
- Hofmann, S. G., & Smits, J. A. (2008). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 69(4), 621. [2]
- Roemer, L., & Orsillo, S. M. (2002). Expanding our conceptualization of and treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: Integrating mindfulness/acceptance‐based approaches with existing cognitive‐behavioral models. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 9(1), 54-68. [3]
- Understanding Anxiety Disorders [4]
This article originally appeared here.
