As 2016 drew to a close, 2017 brought us a blank canvas, an empty journal, and a clear horizon. The internet has unofficially declared 2016 the worst year ever-- a lot of legends went home to God, and a lot of challenges tested our patience. However, worrying about it now is like waiting for rain in a drought, useless and disappointing (I tried).

In 2017, I suggest we all let go and let God; in the sense that instead of constantly worrying about events and scenarios over and over in our heads, we be done with it mentally as soon as we are done with it physically. Life is a series of in-the-moment decision, and He has our whole life already mapped out for us. Whatever happens, happens. All worrying does is decreases our mood and increases our cortisol.

Cortisol is what the body produces when it is under stress, and it is toxic. Remember the boy who cried wolf? The same applies for our nervous system. If we are constantly putting our bodies through unneccesary stress caused by overthinking and whatnot, when we really need our flight or fight response, it will not work properly. The human body is made to survive in some rough circumstances, but if it is under constant attack, every aspect of it will deteriorate.

Instead of stressing, let's take a moment to reflect. How we think affects how we feel, and how we feel determines how we act. And the cycle continues. When a situation comes by that causes stress, take a moment to think about it, write it down on something, crumble it up, and throw it away. De-clutter your mind. If it a larger, more complex scenario, go for a walk, run, or bike ride and just think about it. When you reach your destination, be free of it.

God's got us. He gives his hardest battles to his toughest soldiers, and we are truly never alone in anything we do. Ever.