Overcoming Worry: How to Break Free and Find Real Solutions

The Power of Shifting Focus: Rethinking Denial and Problem-Solving

In one of my videos on Psalm 4, I discussed the idea of shifting our focus from fixating on a specific problem to directing our attention toward the Creator. According to this Psalm, such a shift can bring clarity and resolution to our challenges.

One viewer commented, “You can’t just ignore a problem. It won’t go away if you ignore it.” They’re right—ignoring a problem doesn’t make it vanish. But their comment made me reflect on the concept of denial. Over time, the word "denial" has taken on a narrower, often more negative connotation, which is worth examining further.

Not all denial is bad. While ignoring or pretending a problem doesn’t exist isn’t helpful, denying our ability to find a solution to a problem is equally unproductive. Many of us deny our inner strength, our capacity to resolve challenges, and instead fixate on external circumstances, feeling powerless to change them. We're told not to deny the reality of what's happening around us, but in doing so, we often end up worrying excessively while overlooking our ability to realize solutions.

This creates a problematic perspective. The ego, rooted in fear and separation, convinces us that we’re small, insignificant, and powerless. When we're told not to deny our problems, it often leads us to ruminate endlessly, believing that worrying is productive or even honorable. But that’s not the case.

Breaking Free from the Cycle of Worry

If worry were a solution, most of our problems would have been resolved by now. Think about it: if worrying solved problems, the world would be in a much better place because most people spend a lot of time worrying. Worrying has become second nature, and moments of true peace seem rare.

Worry isn’t entirely without purpose. At times, it acts as a temporary signal—a nudge to address something important. However, when worry becomes a constant companion, it serves no useful purpose. Instead, it drains our energy, traps us in place, and blinds us to the strength we already possess to resolve life’s challenges. By overcoming worry, we can move from endless rumination to meaningful action and resolution.  

Chronic worry doesn’t solve problems—it only amplifies distress. Ironically, even when we seek tools to manage it, we can end up worrying even more, fearing we’re not “doing it right” or that our worries might somehow invite even more adverse outcomes. This creates a relentless cycle: worrying about worrying, followed by the frustration of feeling unable to break free.

Looking back, I’ve spent a lot of my life worrying, and it never helped—it only harmed me. Growing up, I picked up worry early, like many of us do, whether it was from parents, teachers, or challenging environments. For those raised in abusive situations, worry can become a survival mechanism, a way to prepare for the next hurt. But in reality, worry locks us into patterns, all focused on a future we can’t control.  

The Toll of Worry and the Power of the Present Moment

Worry doesn’t solve problems—it pulls us away from the present moment, where all solutions are found. It drains the energy needed to uncover and act on those solutions, disconnecting us from our true power. Overcoming worry isn’t about ignoring challenges; it’s an act of courage that allows us to focus, renew our strength, and channel our efforts into meaningful change.

Real solutions emerge in the present moment, not through dwelling on the past or fearing the future. Worry traps us in a space where we have no control, distracting us from the here and now. By overcoming worry, we open ourselves to new possibilities and release the power to create meaningful change.

Think of it like a math problem a teacher has written on a board: the solution is already there. The student doesn’t have to invent the answer; they just need to follow the proper principles to realize it. The same applies to our challenges. The solutions are already there. We don’t need to create them from scratch, but we do need to let go of worry, which clouds our ability to find them.  

Worry isn’t just an emotion—it’s a deeply ingrained habit, often fueled by underlying beliefs like the fear of being alone, feelings of inadequacy, or the notion that solutions are beyond our reach. We spiral into overthinking, convinced it will lead to answers, yet it rarely does. Even when one worry fades, another quickly takes its place, creating an endless cycle that paralyzes us and stifles meaningful action. Despite this, we often rationalize our worry, believing it’s necessary or a sign of care. In truth, worry does far more to hinder us than to help.

Overcoming Worry: Shifting from Fear to Solutions

Worry is a constant companion in the human experience, often confused with responsibility, as if letting go of worry means you're not taking things seriously. True strength, however, lies in rising above it, focusing instead on the solutions that are ready to unfold.

Overcoming worry and embracing courage is a transformative act of boldness. It defies societal expectations and challenges long-held beliefs about responsibility. While few take this path, the mere act of considering it is a profound gesture of self-care and a meaningful investment in your future.

Don’t be hard on yourself for being a worrier. Worrying is a learned behavior, a response considered normal by society, and there’s no reason to feel guilty about it. Guilt serves no purpose, but the desire to rise above worry is genuinely admirable. Choosing to shift your focus from worry to solutions is a powerful and empowering decision—one you should be proud of.

How to Face Problems with Trust and Clarity

When a problem arises and you notice worry creeping in, it’s not about forcing yourself to overcome worry. Ignoring the issue won’t help either. What works is facing the problem directly and acknowledging it without giving it power over you. Deny the belief that no solution exists, because the idea of an unsolvable problem is simply a trick of the ego. The ego thrives on the assumption that we have problems that can’t be resolved, but the truth is, no such problem exists. Every problem comes with its solution, even if we can’t see it yet.

When faced with an impossible problem, remind yourself that a solution already exists—it’s not something to create but to discover. Focus on the present moment, replace worry with trust, and allow clarity to guide you. Just as the sun rises each day, trust that the answer will come at the right time. Shift your focus to something calming, like prayer or some statement of truth, such as “The ideal solution manifests at the perfect time.” Let the solution unfold naturally.

For example, let’s say you have an electric bill you can’t pay. Ignoring the bill won’t solve anything—your lights will get turned off. Suppressing your worry also won't help; it only gives that fear more power. Instead, look at the problem directly. Acknowledge it, admit you're unsure how to resolve it, and then turn your attention toward a sense of trust that the solution already exists and will appear at the right time. Say, “The ideal solution exists and manifests at the perfect time.” Then, let it go.

Sometimes the solution reveals itself through unexpected means, and other times you’ll feel inspired to take action. You might suddenly remember something you overlooked or realize there’s a simple step you can take. I’ve experienced this myself. In a moment of calm, I once remembered an old account I had forgotten about, which ended up solving a financial problem I had been stressing over.

Overcoming Worry to Find Clarity and Solutions

The key to resolving any challenge lies in confronting it directly, releasing the weight of worry, and trusting that the solution already exists and will reveal itself at the perfect time. By doing so, you create the mental space needed for clarity, allowing answers to emerge naturally, often in the simplest and most effective ways. Facing problems head-on, letting go of anxiety, and embracing a sense of calm enable solutions to surface organically. Relaxing into the situation isn’t an act of avoidance; it’s a responsible and thoughtful approach to moving forward. After all, if worry could solve problems, there would be no problems left to solve.

The trouble with worry is that it often drives us to act out of fear, trying random solutions and making things worse. When fear takes over, we tend to grasp at straws—buy lottery tickets, take desperate measures, engage in frantic internet searches, and follow ideas that rarely help. Instead, when we focus on inner calm and trust that answers are already available, we allow opportunities to present themselves.

The universe operates on a much larger scale than we can comprehend, offering endless possibilities for solving problems. However, when fear takes hold, the conscious mind becomes limited, narrowing options and blocking creativity. Fear constricts, while calm and trust pave the way for new, often unexpected solutions.

When you shift your focus from the problem to the possibility of a solution, something powerful happens. By relaxing and letting go of the need to control, the answer can reveal itself, often when you least expect it. It usually comes while you're engaged in something unrelated, like taking a walk, showering, or doing housework. Solutions most often arise when you're not actively fixating on the issue, allowing your mind to remain open and receptive.

For me, clarity often comes first thing in the morning. I’ll go to bed trusting that the solution will surface, and many times I’ll wake up with a clear idea. The key is to recognize that worrying only traps you in a cycle of overthinking. Worry is the ego’s way of pulling you away from the present moment, where all solutions exist.

Cultivating Clarity Through Focus and Trust

To cultivate clarity, consciously shift your focus from worries and challenges to thoughts of the Infinite. A simple yet powerful way to do this is by reflecting on the timeless attributes of the Infinite: Life, Soul, Spirit, Intelligence, Truth, Love, Law, and Presence. Even the act of repeating these qualities by rote can redirect your thoughts, moving your attention away from anxiety and toward the realm where solutions emerge. By replacing worry with thoughts of the Divine, you create the mental space necessary for answers to unfold. This intentional practice assures that the resolution to your challenges will reveal itself.

While pivoting from worry into the ideas of the Divine might appear similar to ignoring the problem, the two approaches are fundamentally distinct. Redirecting your focus taps into a deeper, innate intelligence within—a force constantly striving for your happiness and peace of mind. This inner power doesn’t want you weighed down by problems or consumed by worry. Instead, it works in your favor, gently guiding you toward solutions and clarity.

By aligning yourself with this inner strength and overcoming worry, the process of resolving the problem naturally unfolds. Your role is to remain open to this process, paying attention when you're inspired to take specific actions, and then following through. The key is trusting in the presence of solutions and staying connected to that belief.

In the end, every challenge we face is an opportunity to cultivate trust, clarity, and inner strength. By releasing the grip of worry and aligning ourselves with calm and possibility, we open the door to solutions that may have seemed out of reach. Trust that the answers you seek already exist, and by staying present, grounded, and receptive, you allow them to reveal themselves in their own perfect time. Solutions often arise when we least expect them, reminding us that life has a way of working in our favor when we let it.