a non-anxious situationship

“Do not be anxious about anything.” Philippians 4:6

There’s a new term these days that can describe one particular level of relationship status: it’s called a situationship. The internet says it’s “a relationship that is more than friendship but less than a committed relationship.”

It’s not quite “dating,” and it’s definitely way less than boyfriend / girlfriend, but it’s still a title and an identity. It’s kind of like… “we didn’t plan this, but we found ourselves here, and there’s no one else around so let’s keep this situation until a better one comes.”

I think that’s how a lot of us are with anxiety. We didn’t plan to be anxious, but we find ourselves in a situation with all the components of it: stress, worry, hurry and desire to be in control… and we just live with it.

Since we often aren’t intentional to avoid anxiety, we just kind of gravitate there. And… it’s quite the situationship. However, we all know that anxiety makes a terrible partner.

First of all, scripture tells us not to be anxious and not to worry. It’s a command we are to obey. Secondly, anxiety leads us to behave in ways that don’t honor God and don’t honor people, and it usually keeps us self-centered. We should be intentional about avoiding it, not lackadaisical about having it around.

So what can we do? Let’s get intentional about living in a non-anxious way!

Here are some practical steps:

Leave home 10 minutes earlier than you think you need to, every time.

Don’t gossip or slander anyone, so you don’t fear future conversations or confrontations.  

Be honest / don’t lie. 

Save 10-15% of your income / tithe at least 10% and feel freedom in how you spend the rest.  

When you buy one thing, give one other thing away. (Less stuff, less things to be anxious about!)

Be willing to give to anyone who asks. See Matthew 5:42. This will help you remember the stuff isn’t yours- it’s God’s… this will help you let go of control.

Exercise and eat well, so you worry less about your body & your mind. Going a walk will go a long way with clearing your mind and ridding your body of anxiety. Eat less sugar. Eat more whole foods.

Plan your meals for a whole week, so you can buy groceries you need & not make last minute expensive & rushed decisions.

Spend intentional time / conversation with loved ones every week.

Stop reading the news and scrolling social media so much. Whatever the amount: cut it down significantly.

Read scripture everyday, and mediate on God’s Word. It will transform you! Put scripture on cards and place them around your room / house / car to remind yourself of the truth!

Pray more: in the morning before your day; pray before appointments and meetings and at night before you go to sleep. Surrender your day, your life, your relationships to the Lord, and trust Him.

Consider this posture and prayer: Breathe deeply, close your eyes and open your palms and say, “God, I need you. I’m anxious about this situation, but I’m going to let go and let you take the lead here.”

Realistically, many anxious situations are going to come your way each week, so as you are intentional in the above areas, you will have less anxiety to fight and you’ll be able to live by God’s Word: “do not be anxious!”