What Are You Worrying About?

Have you ever worried about anything? I’m sure you have. I have as well. After all, worry seems to be a part of the human experience. We worry about health, finances, relationships, jobs, the economy.  We worry for our children and grandchildren, friends and loved ones. The phone ringing in the middle of the night, the report from the doctor, or just reading the news can all lead to worry. 

We worry when the future seems uncertain—when we’re not sure what the next day (or month or year) will bring. We become anxious and filled with worry when we are faced with unknowns, when we can’t predict how things will turn out, when we have little to no assurance regarding our tomorrows. It can seem as if there are so many things to worry about. 

We might ask, is there any benefit to our worry? Does worry accomplish anything? Does worry help solve any of the problems over which we worry? I think you know the answer: worry brings no benefit, accomplishes nothing, and solves nothing. If anything, just the opposite is true: worry creates stress and anxiety that can at times debilitate us, physically, emotionally, and mentally. 

Jesus put it this way: “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life.” (Matthew 6:27 – NIV)  He goes on to say, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself….” (vs. 34) As Jesus points our worry doesn’t bring anything positive or beneficial to our lives. 

So what is the antidote to our worry? Jesus gives it as he points out how God, our heavenly Father, takes care of  nature. He says, if God takes care of the birds and flowers, how much more he will take care of us, his children. Thus, he calls us to replace our worry with faith—faith enough to trust God with our lives; faith enough to seek after that which is spiritual (i.e., the Kingdom of God) rather than merely the material; faith enough not to worry!  

Admittedly, I readily fall into worry. When I do, I need to somehow refocus my attention. I need to turn away from the things of this life that cause me to worry and instead look to my heavenly Father who has promised to always take care of me, along with all of his children. 

What are you worrying about? Whatever it is, place it in God’s hands and trust him with your life. 

Have a great day!

- Pastor Tim Harris