My Favorite Lenten Practice: Giving Up Worry
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Growing up on the Baptist side of Christianity, I didn’t really know about Lent, what it was, what it was for, or who participated in the holy season. Around the time I started exploring other denominations in Protestantism, though, I started thinking about this practice of “giving up” things (specifically giving up worry) and what it really meant for someone of faith.
I was far more familiar with the concept of fasting from food or media. But this concept of “small” fasts – giving up a single thing like chocolate, coffee, or some other “vice” – was a new one to me. So, I started digging deeper and began my Lenten journey with my first fast: a lunch-time meal fast, replaced by prayer every day for 40 days.
My Lenten practices have changed continually since, until I discovered a “vice” that was far worse for me than just about any others I struggle with. When I committed my life to one man – my amazing husband! – I discovered worry, something I’d never struggled with before. Every time I hit the road, I began to fret. Every time I took a flight, I panicked that I would be on that unlucky flight…
Why I Practice Lent as a Protestant
When I mention my Lenten practice to folks, most people assume I’m Roman Catholic, but I’m a member of a local Covenant church. The Covenant leans a bit into the Lutheran liturgical style, and observes the Christian religious calendar, including Lent. However, before I ever heard of the Covenant Church, I had already embraced a Lenten practice.
Coming up in a conservative church community, I felt that austere practices fit the culture of Baptists far better than free-flowing, non-liturgical lifestyles. I didn’t know the history of Anabaptists (anarchists), so it never occurred to me that what Baptists tend to look like today stands in strong contradiction of their anarchist roots (in America at least).
Since “converting” to less rigid denominations, first in Evangelical Free, and then Covenant churches, I have continued to embrace this one “austere” practice that I began journeying with in roughly 2010. I have found the Lenten practice of giving up something – whatever most makes sense for me spiritually that year – is a valuable spiritual practice.
What Lent Means to Me
Lent is defined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as, “…a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It’s a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection at Easter.”
Many Protestant churches and individuals balk hard against Lent as a practice for Christians. Some have described it as having “the potential of leading us back into the bondage of perpetual penitence and rituals common to Catholicism, to which the Reformers rightly reacted.”
For me, a Lenten practice isn’t about bondage, rules, or any form of rebellion against the “powers that be.” Lent has become a period of reflection, prayer, and fasting from things that harm instead of help.
I look forward to Lent every year, wondering how I will see God more clearly during this time of giving up things that may hinder my walk with Jesus. This is especially so since I have taken to the annual practice of giving up worry for Lent – and how I see God’s direction, encouragement, and love more clearly without the lens of worldly woes.
What “Giving Up Worry” for Lent is All About – And How to Do It
“Giving up worry” for Lent sounds like an easier-said-than-done thing. And, in some ways, it is. But I’ve found that each year as I engage with this practice, it becomes easier and easier to do – and more beneficial. And the more faithfully I stick to it during Lent, the easier it is to remember throughout the year.
Before I go into that, though, let’s look at how you give up worry.
1. Acknowledge Whatever is Worrying You
It’s important to first acknowledge that there is something bothering you. It doesn’t matter if it’s “legitimate” or not. If it’s on your brain, it’s emotionally legitimate. And it helps to acknowledge that you’re concerned about that random car break-in six streets away that you heard about. It’s healthy to acknowledge that you’re bothered, worried, or concerned about anything.
2. Examine What’s Worrying You
Now, consider what it is that’s worrying you. Is this worry coming from some kind of existential dread of the unknown? Or is this worry coming at you because you know that you should be taking action of some kind to deal with a situation?
If it’s something you can – and should – do something about, step three will help. If not, skip on to step four. But be sure you’re examining the question and answering yourself honestly.
3. Take Action, If You Can
If this thing that’s bothering you is something you can act on, then now is your time to do it. Make that phone call. Check the bank account. Cancel the purchase. Send that email. Take a walk and give your body the movement it needs. Whatever the action, start the action now instead of stewing in a gumbo of misery.
4. Give Up the Worry if You Can’t
But if you can’t take any action – if there’s absolutely nothing you can do to make a difference in the matter worrying you, then now is your time to stop worrying. Release it. Let go of the thing, acknowledging that you can do nothing. This matter is fully in God’s hands and not something you can impact by actions – or by worrying about it.
It sounds so easy – and once you do it, giving up worry is. You may have to repeat the process several times (I often do!) but each time, it gets a little easier to do. And your mental, spiritual, and physical health will all improve as you continually participate in this Lenten practice. You may discover you want to engage with it all the time like I’ve taken to doing.
After all, it’s a good Biblical practice: “…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) – “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
How Giving Up Worry Impacts Me Throughout the Entire Year
This Lenten practice of giving up worry has become not just my favorite thing to do during Lent, but one of the most important spiritual practices in my life at any time of year. I don’t always remember it and I don’t always engage in it. But when I do, my stress levels dramatically drop, my faith increases, and my energy, motivation, and joy skyrocket.
And because it is easy to sink back into the troubling world of fret and worry, practicing this every single Lent has become a critical choice for me. Lent isn’t about sacrificing – it’s about re-centering on God and Christ. And giving up worry has helped to draw me closer and closer each day.
Replacing Worry with Gratitude – This Year’s “Add-On”
This year, giving up worry isn’t quite “enough” as Lent rolls over me. I’m in a challenging time with lots of change, stress, and concerns – legitimate matters that need care, consideration, and way too many decisions. Giving up worry has been exceptionally helpful during this time, but I’m upping my game a bit.
I’m replacing worry with gratitude. I’m not saying, “Thank you God for this abscessed tooth!” but I am saying, “Thank you, God, for medical care I can receive for this issue.” And I’m thanking God for little things like sunshine after gray days for weeks. And I’m thanking friends for their help during the challenges. And thanking family members for their kindness and care.
This “add-on” of gratitude is upscaling my emotional, spiritual, and physical health even more. And it’s been an amazing time of Lent already because of it.
Need more reflections for your faith? While we’re not strictly a Christian group, we do have some wonderful thoughts from fellow believers on Lent and other faith themes.
- Why Not Horses? – A Poem
- 40 Days of Lent – Poetry
- A Blessing for Those in Urgent Moments
- Pilate’s Calvary – Poetry for Good Friday
- Breath Prayers and Reflections – Positivity Corner
- That Night in Parramatta – Writing Memories
- I Will Answer “Yes” – Personal Christian Faith Journey Essay
Editor-in-Chief of The MockingOwl Roost, Rita Mock-Pike is the granddaughter of aviatrix, Jerrie Mock, first woman to pilot an airplane solo around the world. Rita has found inspiration from her grandmother’s life and flight and pursued many of her own dreams in theatre, podcasting, novel writing, and cooking up delicious food from around the world. She now writes on food, travel, pets, faith, and the arts. She’s happily married to Matt, and faithfully serves the very fluffy kitten queen, Lady Stardust.
