Ah, yes! Our old friend, "worry." To wish for a life that’s "worry free" is, in all likelihood, to dream the impossible dream. For example, here in the U.S., statistics show that between 20 and 30 percent of all Americans will live today under significant stress: 13 million of us will worry intensely for at least 90 minutes.
What things to do we worry about? It may be about our marriages, children, jobs, mortgages, health, grades, friends or a host of other issues. Whatever the source, worry’s an emotion with which all of us are familiar, and which 27 percent of us experience virtually on a daily basis (Statistics from American Demographics and MD Magazine).
Unfortunately, while in this life "worry," to some degree, will be with us for the duration. It’s pretty unlikely that our lives will ever become "worry-free," but it is entirely possible for us to become increasingly less worried, particularly about peripheral issues, or “the small stuff.” It’s possible to become less dominated by our fears and more motivated by our faith. "Less worried" is a reasonable and achievable goal!
In order to understand "worry," we should take a closer look at it. By doing this, maybe we can understand it a little better, which in turn will help us to not to let it take over our lives. If we can fix something, then it might be worth worrying about. However, if we can't do anything to change a situation, then yes, we might just feel sad or regret it, but not worry about it.
What good does worry do? Why worry about that over which we have no control? To be sure, we’ll find many elements of life to be disappointing. But unless we can change the situation somehow, all our worry is merely wasted energy, and may even make already bad matters even worse. Jesus phrased it this way: “. . . Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? (Matthew 6:27)
What good does most of our worrying do? What does it ultimately accomplish? Psychologists tell us that roughly 90 percent of our fears are unfounded -- roughly 90 percent of the things that worry us never occur. We often, and thus tend to, fantasize ourselves into utter distress!
What are our priorities? What are we anxious about? What we worry over says volumes about our priorities. Jesus knew that some of his listeners were inordinately anxious about personal pride and material possessions. He understood that self-centered people are terrible worriers, for they’re always afraid of what they stand to lose. He also comprehended the shallowness of people who’re oblivious to the needs of the world and focused only on their own wishes and wants.
Who is making us anxious? Who do we allow to unravel our lives? To whom do we concede that much power and control? Whose influence keeps us on edge? Most of us have experienced moments when we knew what God wanted us to do but failed to do it because of what others might think. The sad truth, though, is that regardless of what we do or leave undone, we really can’t greatly alter other people's opinions of our lives.
What matters most, of course, is not what others think when looking at us but rather what God thinks when looking in us. And yet that concern so frequently receives the least attention. We go on worrying about that which matters so little and ignoring that which matters most of all!
What's the hurry? The Living Bible paraphrases the words of Jesus this way: "Don't be anxious about tomorrow. Live one day at a time. God will take care of the future." Wise words for those who have ears to hear, wouldn't you say? All we’re called to do, and all we’re really capable of doing, is live the best we can today.
Where’s our faith? "If God so clothes the grass of the fields and feeds the birds of the air," counseled Jesus, "will God not much more take care of you, . . . ?" Scottish minister,William Barclay was probably correct when he suggested that "worry is essentially distrust of God," and that, my friends is idolatry - thinking we know better how to run our lives than God does!
For sure, these are really good questions; even tough questions. But, if we can find answers to them, we’ll have found significant cures to our worries. I'd like to close this message with some good news! God is always in our corner, always as close as a prayer, always loving us whether or not we deserve it, and always willing to carry the heavy end of each of our crosses if asked.
Remember...when worries seem to have us hemmed in and overwhelmed, all the resources of eternity are at our disposal by simply whispering the name "God."
Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 6:25-34; Matthew 6:33-34; Philippians 4:13; Matthew 6:27; Luke 1:37
Prayer: Dear Lord, sometimes I feel as if I ask you for too much, but you are the only one I know who truly listens to me. Please grant me comfort and never leave me. Amen
May God bless you!
Amy Lynn
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