This podcast episode of The Inner Life with Patrick Conley goes headfirst into the messy, often-overwhelming world of worry, featuring the wisdom of Fr. Dave Heney, a priest and with a knack for breaking big problems into bite-sized, manageable chunks.

🚨 Why Do We Worry?

Fr. Dave defines worry as a feeling triggered when we face a challenge we’re not sure we can handle. It’s the mental version of looking at a mountain and thinking, “Do I even have hiking boots for this?” 🥾 If we feel confident, no sweat. But when the confidence dips, worry floods in.

Think about it: Father uses the example of when you knew the answer in 8th grade, you couldn’t wait to raise your hand. 🙋‍♂️ When you didn’t? Hello, invisible mode. 🫣

🕰️ The Time Trap

Most worry falls into two categories:

Past Rumination: “What if I hadn’t said that dumb thing in 2012?!” (Spoiler: It’s wasted energy. The past is done. Learn from it and move on.)

Future Anxiety: “What if I mess up tomorrow’s presentation?” Sure, prep for it, but obsessing won’t help. The only moment you can control is right now: the present.

Jesus reminds us of this when He calls Himself “I AM,” emphasizing the now. 🕊️

🔑 How to Tackle Worry (Fr. Dave’s Playbook)

Live in the Present: This is your moment. Want to defeat worry? Do something constructive right now. Every small action builds confidence and chips away at anxiety. 🛠️

Plan It Out: Can’t sleep? Make a to-do list for tomorrow. Your brain will stop nagging you, and you’ll actually rest. 📝💤

Name Your Feelings: When anxiety pops up, don’t shove it down. Instead, say, “Ah, there’s that anxious feeling again,” and put it aside.

Take it to God: Feeling guilty about anxiety? Don’t! Simply experiencing anxious thoughts is not a sin. Bring your worries to adoration. God’s not mad; He wants to help. 🙏✨

Break It Down: Overwhelmed? Analyze the problem and tackle it in smaller, doable steps. Baby steps win big battles. 🐾🏆

🌟 Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget the Serenity Prayer!

Focus on what you can change and hand the rest to God. You’ll lighten your mental load and keep your heart open to grace. ✝️💕

Whether you’re stressed about money, relationships, or the future, this episode is a reminder that worry doesn’t have to run your life. Take it one step at a time and remember: God is right there in the moment with you.

➡️ For more soul-soothing tips, catch the whole episode! 📻 ❤️

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