I Need All of The Answers
Have you ever been around little kids as they begin to develop a sense of curiosity? They are constantly seeking understanding of who, why, when, what, where, and how. It’s as if no answer truly satisfies them because that answer stirs up more questions and they are always questions that need answers. I’m not sure if I was the child who pressed the adults in my life for answers but if I had to take a guess, I’d say yes!
As a kid, my curiosity was harmless but as I got into adulthood, I remember my Dad telling me “don’t let your mind snowball”. Imagine a snowball rolling down a steep hill with great force, as it travels downhill, it begins to become larger in size, faster in speed, and powerful in strength. What my Dad was saying was, don’t let one thought cause you to go deeper and deeper into thought until you can’t make the “snowball” stop from rolling. Let me show you an example of snowball thinking…..
Thought: Bills are due next week and the money is looking a bit tight right now.
Snowball thinking in 3, 2, 1….
“Ok so if the bills are due and the money is tight now, then that means I may not be able to cover the bills. And if I don’t cover the bill for the water then how am I going to be able to shower and freshen up to make a good impression for the interview panel for the business And if I don’t make a good impression then they won’t be willing to partner with me and I’ll never see my goal of building an art studio for the high schoolers that have shown interest in this after-school art studio.”
We went from money being tight, to not showering, to the cancellation of an after-school program. It sounds a bit silly reading that scenario but snowball thinking happens easily when the thought or concern belongs to us. Instead of finding peace in one answer, we forfeit answers for more questions, never really focusing on a solution because we get stuck in our heads. If you ever have been in a similar situation where you overanalyze or overthink things, here are a few ways to overcome snowballing in your mind.
1. Control your thoughts, don’t let them control you.
Whenever a thought or a pressing issue is on your mind, grab it like you would grab a floating $20 bill within your reach! In all seriousness, take the thought captive and hold it up to the Light of what God says about your situation. Bills are due and money is tight BUT remember God is Jehovah Jireh who provides all of your needs.
2. Open up and talk to a trusted friend or confidante.
We were not meant to do life alone, carrying burdens by ourselves. Talking to close friends and sister-cousins has helped me tremendously from snowballing. I remember my cousin saying, wait let me stop you right there as she interrupted my snowballing thoughts and provided a perspective I was unable to see. Talking to someone outside of our situation can help bring in insight that we may have trouble seeing on our own.
3. Make peace with not having all of the answers and solutions.
So I have to be honest and rip the band-aid off….we won’t always have the answer to every single problem or challenge that we face. Believe it or not, it is alright and it's okay. Sometimes we are the child asking God how is it going to work when we will get the job, and where will the solution come from. Remember that knowing and belonging to God is enough and He will always care and cover you as His child.
Whether your mind snowballs constantly or every now and then, know that with God’s help you can exchange overthinking for His joy and peace.