So What?

June 2026.

Just a brief announcement before we talk about this month's topic; I've moved my monthly newsletter to Substack. You will still receive emails as usual, and you can always unsubscribe at any time.

Anxiety is a hot topic in my coaching practice, and it’s played a big part in my own back story. In my early years with the LA Philharmonic, I struggled regularly with panic attacks and performance anxiety. I even had a revolving playlist of anxiety dreams. The recurring theme: concerts going wrong. In one dream, the oboe is sounding the A to tune us before the concert starts, but I’m stuck in the dressing room, struggling into concert clothes in slow motion. In another one, I make it onstage in time, but I’m holding an instrument I’ve never played before. Then there’s the version where the orchestra is wearing all black, but I’m in all white. And the tour scenario: the A is sounding, the concert is starting, but I can’t find the stage.

Anxiety feeds on ‘oh no!’ and ‘what if’ thoughts, no matter how far-fetched and ridiculous they are. And at times, even our waking disaster-izing can be just as baseless. One way to poke a hole in our negative prophecies is to ask, so what? Is anyone going to die from this? What’s the worst thing that could happen? Would it really be the end of the world? What am I really afraid of here?

I encourage clients to drill down to what is underneath the disaster-thought and find the root of the fear. Is it a fear of being out of control or losing face? Then a question emerges: can we let go of our need to be in control? Our need to maintain appearances? Does our pride keep us clinging to those things?

The Bible has the Rx:

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

Surrendering all our outcomes and image control to Jesus brings freedom! He knows every hair on your head; He loves you with an everlasting love, and He is near to all who call on Him.

Journal: what are 3 concerns you can cast on the Lord today and trust Him with?