Oh you know, just have a million things on my mind. Just wanting to grow up, but fighting with all I have. Just doing my best to live life to its fullest, but scared to death of what lies in the unknown future. Just enjoying dating the most perfect guy in the world, but stressing myself out about all of the "what ifs". You know, just at that really great spot in life where everything is too good to be true and you're just waiting for something to blow up in your face. You probably have a mental illness when you can't even enjoy your nearly perfect days because you're so worried about when it's going to start falling apart. Yep. I have problems. I know. The diagnoses: I'm a worry wart.
I got a wart on my foot when I was on my mission in the Philippines at it was so obnoxious. It started out little and no big deal. But then it started to grow and spread. Sometimes it itched. Sometimes it just annoyed me that it was there. It looked hideous and made wearing flip-flops feel really weird. When I returned home the doctor gave me a topical medicine that was supposed to make the wart go away in about a week. But the wart stuck around FOREVER. The medicine just succeeded in turning it a dark brown color, making it more noticeable and therefore more obnoxious. Also, it kind of got pretty tender and hurty. Not cool. But, now, three months later and it's finally gone!
I feel like worrying is just like that wart. Hence the all too fitting name of Worry Wart. A worry starts out little but then just grows and spreads. So you're one little worry grows into a big worry and spreads to become even more worries. Then you worry to the point that it's obnoxious. It affects everything else. And the worst part is there's no medicine to make it go away. Not after a week, not after two weeks, not even after three months. It's just a constant worry. Nagging at you, making you over analyze everything, stressing you out about even the smallest things. Then you become the annoying one. The wart to other people. Nobody likes a worry wart. They're hard to be around.
I'm hoping there is a cure cause I really don't wanna be a worry wart for the rest of my life. I don't wanna be that annoying thing that plagues people, growing and spreading obnoxiousness... that just sounds awful. Not cool. So if there's no topical medication, how do you get rid of worry? Is there some sort of medicine to help? I found just the solution after doing a little searching on LDS.org. Which is the best website in the world and you should all check it out!
The Balm of Gilead. That's the cure. But applying that Balm has a few steps. It may take longer than a week to be cured. It may take a lifetime of application, but isn't it worth it if the symptoms are gone? Isn't it more than worth it if we no longer are annoyed by worry?
Step 1 - Obedience to the commandments of God and Gospel of Jesus Christ. "Obedience is a powerful spiritual medicine. It comes close to being a cure-all."
Step 2 - Prayer. "You may need a transfusion of spiritual strength... Then just ask for it. We call that prayer. Prayer is powerful, spiritual medicine. The instructions for its use are found in the scriptures."
Step 3 - Scripture Study. Read the scriptures. They are the instruction manual. The counseling advice. The Doctor's orders. Then apply what you learn.
Step 4 - Look to the Savior and follow Him! "A great significant message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is exemplified by the title given to Him: the Prince of Peace. If we follow Him, we can have that individually and collectively.
He has said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27.)"
The cure for worry is peace. Peace that we find as we look to the Savior. Look to Him through obedience, prayer, and the scriptures.
His promise is sure. “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:14–18.)
The Balm of Gilead; President Boyd K. Packer
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1977/10/the-balm-of-gilead?lang=eng
