DON'T CATASTROPHIZE
An excerpt from INVITE LIGHT
A wise therapist once offered me this excellent advice, “Don’t catastrophize.”
Most problems shrink in size over time. Solutions arise. Circumstances evolve. Differences resolve.
She pointed me to nature. Nature always finds its way back to equilibrium. Even damage from violent storms will recede, repair, rebuild, or adapt over time—given enough time.
Seneca, an ancient Roman stoic, mused: “Life is short, but we waste much of it on trivial matters.” We can ask ourselves, will this aggravating situation matter in 10 years? 50 years? 10,000 years or more?
Jesus put it this way: “Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.”
Yes, things tend to work out, given enough time and evolving efforts. No need to catastrophize.
As bad as any situation may appear today, help and healing are already on their way.
REFLECTION
Write about a time you felt overwhelmed by distressing circumstances. Could a less catastrophic framing help you cope more effectively? How might knowing Jesus has overcome the world help you through a painful season?
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