I’m a worrier and planner. This means I think about what could happen, even if it never happens. I deploy enormous amounts of wasteful emotional energy being prepared for the worst. But, anxiety is counterproductive for a Christian, especially a creative one.

Imagination is a major fuel of faith. We “see” possibilities before they become reality. What worry and negativity do is to turn your faith against you. All your negativity produces self-fulfilling prophecies. When things go wrong, you’re like, “I knew it!”, not realising they’re powered by all the negative imagination you’ve got going on. You can’t relax or enjoy the moment because you’re constantly on edge.

To break through worry, deploy your imagination. Walk through the project you’re working on and in your mind, see it unfolding in success. Think of wonderful things happening in every scenario. Prepare for the best, not the worst. If you need to, speak it out loud. You can influence your mood by speaking good things to yourself about your future. And spend time reading the word of God. That’s another fuel of faith.

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“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7